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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $1.4 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $1.4 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date
Thu, 02/28/2013

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at approximately $1,372,800 hidden within a Ford Explorer.

On Wednesday, February 27, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, CBP officers came in contact with a 2002 Ford Explorer being driven by a 52-year-old man, identified as a United States citizen and resident of Brownsville, Texas. After a primary inspection, a CBP officer referred the Ford for a secondary examination. In secondary CBP officers discovered 21 packages hidden within the Explorer. CBP officers removed the packages containing approximately 19.47 kilograms (42.9 pounds) of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,372,800. CBP officers arrested the driver and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

"These dangerous drugs have been stopped at the border by our frontline CBP officers conducting northbound inspections. The streets of our community are safer because of the outstanding work our officers undertake each day," said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021