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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $1.6 Million in Alleged Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $1.6 Million in Alleged Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date
Tue, 09/10/2013

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Los Indios International Bridge on Saturday discovered cocaine valued at approximately $1,568,000 hidden within a Ford Edge.

"This large load of alleged cocaine was intercepted by our CBP officers using the training and observational skills on the frontline. I applaud our CBP officers for this seizure and arrest," said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville Port of Entry.

On Saturday, September 7, at the Los Indios International Bridge CBP officers came in contact with the driver of a white 2012 Ford Edge identified as a 29-year-old man. The driver was further identified as a citizen of Mexico who resides in Centro Monterey, Mexico. A primary CBP officer referred the Ford and its driver for a secondary examination. In secondary CBP officers discovered 19 packages hidden within the Ford. CBP officers removed the packages containing approximately 22.24 kilograms (49 pounds) of alleged cocaine from the vehicle.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,568,000. CBP officers arrested the driver and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

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