CBP Officers at Del Rio Port of Entry Nab Cocaine Load

Del Rio, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry Thursday seized nearly $1 million worth of cocaine after finding it hidden in a passenger vehicle.

Thursday afternoon a Piedras Negras, Mexico couple arrived at the port in a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. The driver, a 23-year-old Mexican national, and his 24-year-old wife, were referred for an intensive inspection. During inspection, a CBP officer discovered an anomaly in the interior of the vehicle. A CBP drug detection canine alerted officers to the possible presence of contraband, leading to the discovery of 12 packages wrapped in black tape. A test of the packages yielded positive results for cocaine. Officers recovered a total of 29.6 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $947,200.

“Officer training and experience are key to the detection of illicit substances being brought into the country,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio. “This seizure is just another example of our CBP officers’ professionalism and diligence.”

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.