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  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over a Quarter Million In Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over a Quarter Million In Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Release Date
Wed, 01/21/2015

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted two loads of alleged narcotics. CBP officers discovered the alleged drugs, carrying a combined street value of approximately $252,280, hidden within two vehicles.

“Vigilant CBP officers conducting inspections of travelers and their vehicles discovered hidden packages concealed within these two vehicles. I thank our CBP officers for their attentiveness with these seizures and arrests,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.  

Bundles containing 25 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry

Bundles containing 25 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first case took place on Friday, Jan. 16. CBP officers working primary at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a man as he arrived at the port of entry as the driver of a 2006 Ford Fusion. The man, identified as a 25-year-old Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary officer noted discrepancies to the vehicle. CBP officers working in secondary discovered three packages hidden within the Ford. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 7.4 pounds of alleged cocaine.

A second smuggling attempt took place on Sunday, Jan. 19 also at the Gateway International Bridge when CBP officers encountered a white 2000 Ford Ranger being driven by a man. A CBP officer’s primary examination resulted in the vehicle, its driver, identified as a 25-year-old Mexico citizen who also resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. While in secondary, CBP officers discovered 10 hidden packages within the 2000 Ford. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which held a combined total weight of 25.3 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from these seizures is approximately $57,120 and $195,160, respectively. In both cases, CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles. CBP officers arrested both men and turned them 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. 

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