U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge recently intercepted a large shipment of alleged methamphetamine, street valued at more than $3.7 million.
On Feb. 7, a 21-year old female U.S. citizen attempted to enter the country through the international bridge in a gray 2009 Dodge Avenger SUV. After a K9 unit alerted the officers to suspicious activity within the SUV, the vehicle was referred for a more thorough secondary inspection.
During the secondary inspection, the officers discovered 96 bottles in the vehicle’s trunk, which contained alleged liquid methamphetamine weighing more than 84 pounds.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicle and placed the driver and one passenger under arrest. They were then turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
“This a significant seizure for our port and a vital step to keeping our borders secure,” Petra Horne, port director for the Brownsville Port of Entry, said. “Our officers did an exceptional job in keeping these dangerous narcotics from reaching our streets.”
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 the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.