BORDER CRISIS: Officers Seize $6.1 Million in Hard Narcotics at Port of Entry

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers assigned to the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge seized hard narcotics that totaled over $6,100,000 in street value in two separate, unrelated incidents over the weekend.

“The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Enforcement operations such as these protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and advance our national security priorities.”

The first enforcement action occurred on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 33-year-old male United States citizen applying for entry as a pedestrian for a secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 26.63 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within personal belongings. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $275,520.

The second seizure occurred on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the World Trade Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 24-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2006 Freightliner tractor for secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 655.65 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the tractor. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $5,861,159.

The narcotics combined had a combined street value of $6,136,679.

CBP seized the narcotics, a tractor, and trailer. The two subjects involved in the incidents were arrested. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents are investigating the seizures.