BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge this weekend intercepted a load of alleged cocaine valued at more than $186,660 during a routine examination. CBP officers discovered the alleged cocaine hidden within a Dodge Dakota.
“Brownsville’s frontline CBP officers intercepted these 24 pounds of alleged cocaine through direct application of the outstanding training they undergo on a continuous basis. I applaud Brownsville’s CBP officers for stopping these dangerous drugs from entering our country,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.
On Saturday, April 11, CBP officers working northbound traffic at Gateway International Bridge encountered a white 1991 Dodge Dakota being driven by a man. A CBP officer conducting primary examinations referred the vehicle, its male driver, identified as a 49-year-old Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico to secondary inspection for further examination. A secondary inspection by CBP officers revealed 10 hidden packages within the Dakota. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a combined total weight of approximately 24.2 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $186,660. CBP officers arrested the driver, seized the narcotics and the vehicle and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
CBP Field Operations at Brownsville Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.