Border Officers Seize Over $5.9 Million in Narcotics at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seized narcotics in two separate, unrelated incidents that totaled over $5.9 million in street value.

“Our frontline CBP officers working cargo operations at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge continue to remain dedicated to upholding our border security mission. Their effective application of targeting and technology resulting in these two seizures exemplifies that commitment,” said Acting Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry.

The first enforcement action occurred on Monday, February 8th, when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a vehicle manifesting a shipment of yarn and fabric articles arriving from Mexico. The 2003 Ford Expedition and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 15 packages containing 43.73 pounds of alleged methamphetamine discovered within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $874,785.

The second seizure occurred later that evening, when officers encountered a tractor hauling an empty trailer arriving from Mexico. The 2010 International tractor and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 50 packages containing 255.55 pounds of alleged methamphetamine discovered within the trailer. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $5,111,144.

The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $5,985,929.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and one trailer. The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.