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 alleged cocaine, valued at approximately $918,400, hidden within a Honda Civic EX.
“This alleged smuggler attempted to take advantage of the heavy traffic during the local Charro Days parades. This load of dangerous drugs will not reach the streets of our communities thanks to the great work by our CBP officers. I applaud our officers for the outstanding work they do to protect our country,” said Michael T. Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville.
On March 1, CBP officers working primary at Gateway International Bridge encountered a 2012 Honda Civic EX being driven by a woman. A CBP officer’s primary examination resulted in the vehicle, its female driver, identified as a 23-year-old, Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. While in secondary, CBP officers discovered 12 hidden packages within the Honda. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a combined total weight of 28.7 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $918,400. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.