CBP Officers in El Paso Seize Cocaine Worth Almost $1.7 Million

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the port of entry in El Paso identified and stopped two vehicles loaded with a total of 52.5 pounds of cocaine Tuesday. The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $1,682,560.

“The layered enforcement approach CBP utilizes helped in making these seizures,” said Charlie Wright, CBP Assistant El Paso Port Director. “Drug sniffing dogs and officer expertise all contributed to these enforcement actions.”

The first seizure was made at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) at 5:25 p.m. when a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis arrived at the port from Mexico. CBP officers and canine teams were conducting a sweep of vehicles waiting in line at the international crossing when CBP drug sniffing dog “Outlaw” alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers launched an exam and located a non-factory compartment in the front bumper. They drilled into the compartment and removed a white substance that tested positive for cocaine. CBP officers removed four cocaine-filled bundles from the compartment with a total weight of 19.6 pounds.

CBP officers arrested the driver, 49-year-old Guillermo Aguirre Garcia of Juarez. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents took custody and booked him into the El Paso County jail to face federal prosecution. He remains in custody and is being held without bond.

The second seizure was also made at BOTA at 6:15 p.m. when a 2000 Ford Focus arrived at the port from Mexico. CBP officers and canine teams were conducting a sweep of vehicles waiting in line at the international crossing when CBP drug sniffing dog “Max” alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers launched an exam and located a non-factory compartment in the rear bumper. They drilled into the compartment and removed a white substance that tested positive for cocaine. CBP officers removed 13 cocaine-filled bundles from the compartment with a total weight of 32.9 pounds.

CBP officers arrested the driver, 24-year-old Edwardo Dominguez of El Paso. HSI special agents took custody and booked him into the El Paso County jail to face federal prosecution. He remains in custody and is being held without bond.

CBP Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

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 our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.