DEL RIO, TEXAS—A Del Rio woman landed in jail Sunday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry found more than 5 pounds of heroin in her possession.
Shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday, CBP officers inspected a taxi driver and his passenger after they arrived in the United States from Mexico. During inspection, a CBP canine alerted to the passenger's belongings. Officers discovered six packages containing heroin hidden among various food items. Officers seized a total of 5.54 pounds of heroin, with an estimated value of $177,408. The passenger, a 52-year-old Del Rio woman, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.
"Our CBP officers' training and experience were key to keeping this contraband from entering the country," said Michael Perez, CBP port director, Del Rio. "Keeping dangerous drugs off the streets is one of the many aspects of our job."
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation's ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the U.S. while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.