U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed at the Falfurrias Checkpoint in Texas recently seized more than 80 pounds of cocaine and 60 pounds of marijuana and rescued 52 undocumented immigrants over four separate incidents.
Beginning on Oct. 20, agents assigned to the checkpoint encountered a tractor-trailer driven by a male Mexican national as he approached the primary inspection lane. As agents were questioning the driver, a narcotics-detection canine team alerted officers to suspicious activity within the vehicle.
After a brief search, the agents discovered more than 80 pounds of cocaine, which carried an estimated street value of more than $2.8 million.
The following day, agents were conducting standard inspections when a tractor-trailer driven by a male Cuban national approached the checkpoint. After a narcotics-detection canine team alerted officers of suspicious activity within the trailer, the officers discovered a total of 33 undocumented immigrants hiding inside along with more than 60 pounds of marijuana.
Early Sunday morning, another tractor-trailer driven by a Mexican national approached the primary inspection lane for entry. During a routine examination, a canine team alerted officers to the cargo area of the trailer. Agents then discovered five undocumented migrants hiding inside.
Minutes later, a fourth tractor-trailer, driven by a citizen of the United States, was referred for a more thorough secondary inspection after a canine team alerted officers to suspicious activity in the trailer’s cargo area. Fourteen undocumented immigrants were found inside.
All drivers were subsequently arrested by CBP on various charges while all undocumented immigrants were processed through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. All tractor trailers and drugs were seized by CBP.