U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed a recent $6.1 million narcotics seizure in separate incidents at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge.
“The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” Laredo Port of Entry Port Director Alberto Flores said. “Enforcement operations such as these protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and advance our national security priorities.”
The CBP indicated the initial first enforcement action occurred on Oct. 29, when a CBP officer referred a 33-year-old male United States citizen applying for entry as a pedestrian for a secondary inspection.
After a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, the CBP noted officers discovered a total of 26.63 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within personal belongings. The narcotics possessed an estimated street value of $275,520.
The second seizure occurred on Oct. 30, when a CBP officer referred a 24-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2006 Freightliner tractor for secondary inspection.
A canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination resulted in CBP officers discovering a total of 655.65 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the tractor, determining the narcotics had an estimated street value of $5,861,159.
CBP seized the narcotics, a tractor, and trailer and arrested the two subjects involved in the incidents.