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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $384,000 in Cocaine and Methamphetamine at Brownsville Port of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $384,000 in Cocaine and Methamphetamine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date
Mon, 02/10/2014

Brownsville, Texas— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted two separate loads of alleged methamphetamine and cocaine. CBP officers discovered the alleged narcotics, valued at approximately $384,000, hidden within a Ford Escort and under the clothing of a pedestrian.  

“During another busy weekend at the Brownsville Port of Entry our CBP officers’ observational skills, training and vigilance helped to stop these dangerous drugs from reaching the streets of our communities. I congratulate our officers for their continued commitment to keeping our country safe,” said Michael T. Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville.

On Friday, February 7, CBP officers working primary at Gateway International Bridge encountered a red 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 driven by a man. A CBP officer’s primary examination resulted in the vehicle and its driver, identified as a 23-year-old United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. While in secondary, CBP officers discovered three packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the three packages from the vehicle which held a combined total weight of 7.3 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second case at Gateway International Bridge took place on Sunday when CBP officers conducting inspections in the pedestrian walkway came in contact with a woman as she arrived at the port of entry. The woman was identified as an 18-year-old United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas. The woman was selected and escorted to a secondary inspection. In secondary CBP officers discovered four packages hidden under the woman’s clothing. CBP officers removed the packages which held a combined total weight of 4.7 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.

The alleged loads of cocaine and methamphetamine from these seizures have estimated street values of approximately $233,600 and $150,400, respectively. CBP officers turned the male driver and the female pedestrian over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle from these two separate enforcement actions.

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