An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $308K in Cocaine at Gateway International Bridge

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $308K in Cocaine at Gateway International Bridge

Release Date
Wed, 03/27/2019

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged cocaine. CBP officers discovered the narcotics, valued at approximately $308,040, hidden within a white 2013 Kia Rio.

“Our officers are doing an outstanding job in intercepting narcotics from those individuals who are intent on bringing them into the United States,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “I commend the efforts of our officers and their commitment to the CBP mission of keeping our borders secure.”

Packages containing nearly 40 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry
Packages containing nearly 40 pounds of
cocaine seized by CBP officers at Gateway
International Bridge.

The seizure took place on Monday, Mar. 25, at Gateway International Bridge when a 22-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, applied for entry into the United States driving a white 2013 Kia Rio. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. With the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system and canine unit, CBP officers discovered 18 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 39.95 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizure is approximately $308,040.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicle, arrested the driver and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021