U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry recently intercepted two shipments of alleged narcotics worth an estimated combined street value of $2,669,899.
“These significant drug seizures are the direct result of our officers’ dedication and vigilance in securing our borders, and our streets and communities are safer as a result,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz of the Brownsville Port of Entry in a Tuesday press release.
The first seizure occurred on July 21, at the Veterans International Bridge, when a 34-year-old United States citizen from Pasadena, Texas, attempted to enter the country in a 2014 Dodge.
Officers discovered 10 packages hidden inside the car using a non-intrusive inspection system and a canine unit. They removed the packages, which allegedly contained 23.06 pounds of cocaine, worth approximately $177,820.
The second seizure occurred on July 26 at the Gateway International Bridge, when a 22-year-old U.S. citizen from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, applied for entry into the country while driving a 2003 Ford.
Officers discovered 24 packages hidden within the car reportedly containing 124.60 pounds of methamphetamine, worth about $2,492,079.
One day before the press release announcing the seizure, Randy Howe, director of CBP field operations in Laredo, tweeted a seven-day recap. Howe stated that 43 arrests were made, while 175 pounds of cocaine, 435 pounds of methamphetamine, and $42,114 worth of unreported currency were seized at that border crossing.
