Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and
Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry on Thursday
discovered cocaine and methamphetamine valued at more than $1.2 million in two
seizures at two different international bridges in separate, unrelated
enforcement actions.
CBP officers at the Brownsville and
Matamoros International Bridge encountered a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox being
driven by a 24-year-old male Mexico citizen and resident of Matamoros,
Tamaulipas, Mexico. CBP officers discovered 14 packages hidden within the
Chevrolet. CBP officers removed the packages containing approximately 31.6
pounds of cocaine.
The second case occurred at Gateway
International Bridge when CBP officers came in contact with a male United
States citizen as he arrived at the port of entry as the driver of a black 2003
Volkswagen Jetta. The man, identified as a 47-year-old resident of Austin,
Texas, was selected and referred for inspection. CBP officers discovered 48
packages hidden within the Jetta. CBP officers removed the packages which held
a combined total weight of 14.10 pounds of methamphetamine.
The cocaine from the first seizure has
an estimated street value of approximately $1,011,200 and the methamphetamine
seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $211,500. CBP officers
turned the drivers over to U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland
Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers
seized the narcotics and the vehicles.
“Brownsville CBP officers have prevented
two dangerous narcotic loads from being introduced into the country. Our CBP
officers have intercepted these drugs just 12 hours apart at two of
Brownsville’s border crossings. This is outstanding work on the frontline by
CBP officers. I congratulate our officers for these seizures and the arrest of the
drivers,” said Michael Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville Port of Entry.
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.
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