Border Crisis: Agents in Texas Seize Almost $1 Million in Fentanyl, Meth Cocaine, and Heroin

Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at two border crossings intercepted dangerous narcotics worth almost $1 million dollars.

At the Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas, officers intercepted alleged narcotics with a combined estimated street value of $808,976.

“Our CBP officers used their experience and multiple law enforcement tools to discover and seize these dangerous narcotics,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

The seizure took place on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 24-year-old female United States citizen who resides in Houston, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2013 Chevrolet. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered eight packages hidden within the 2013 Chevrolet. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained 6.39 pounds of alleged methamphetamine, 8.42 pounds of alleged fentanyl, 13.44 pounds of alleged cocaine, and 19.92 pounds of alleged heroin.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $58,788, $235,806, $179,559, and $334,823 respectively.

Offficers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted fentanyl and heroin with an estimated street value of almost $170,000.

“The work performed by dedicated CBP officers is helping keep our community safe,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “A significant quantity of dangerous drugs will not be available to the American public because of their efforts.”

The interception occurred Dec. 5, when a 46-year-old male, Mexican citizen arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. A CBP officer conducting primary inspections referred the vehicle for screening by a CBP canine and a non-intrusive x-ray scan. A thorough search of the vehicle was conducted leading CBP officers to locate multiple mixed bundles containing 14.3 pounds fentanyl and 4.9 pounds of black tar heroin.

The narcotics and vehicles were seized by CBP and the drivers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempts.