LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry discovered 76 pounds of crystal methamphetamine as a result of the inspection of a 2001 Ford Expedition SUV. The discovery resulted in the arrest of the driver and the seizure of the alleged narcotics that are estimated to be valued at $2.4 million.
“CBP officers have but a few seconds to identify an intended smuggler – having the non-intrusive imaging systems assist in expediting those inspections, can result in the finding of loads of narcotics such as this significant seizure,” said Jose R. Uribe, Acting Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry. “The job of a CBP officer is not an easy one but one that they take very seriously in protecting the borders from terrorists and in keeping dangerous drugs from reaching our streets and communities.”
The seizure occurred on Monday, May 19, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge when CBP officers encountered a 2001 Ford Expedition SUV being driven by a 62-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. CBP officers referred the man to secondary for an intensive inspection. At secondary, a non-intrusive inspection by CBP officers revealed 24 packages containing alleged methamphetamines within the SUV. The packages containing the alleged crystal methamphetamines weighed approximately 76 pounds. The estimated street value for the alleged methamphetamines is listed at $2,432,000.
CBP officers seized the alleged narcotics and the Ford SUV. CBP officers also arrested the driver and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.