U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $1.3 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at over $1,328,000 hidden within a Nissan and concealed under a traveler’s clothing. 

On Thursday, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, CBP officers encountered a 2012 Nissan Tiida being driven by a 25-year-old man accompanied by his sister, identified as a 21-year-old, both Mexico citizens and residents of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At primary a CBP officer referred the Nissan and its occupants for a secondary examination. In secondary CBP officers discovered 16 packages hidden within the Tiida. CBP officers removed the packages containing approximately 39.3 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second case this weekend also occurred at Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge. On Saturday CBP officers working northbound inspections came in contact with a male Mexico citizen as he arrived at the port of entry as a pedestrian. The man, identified as a 19-year-old resident of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico was selected and escorted to a secondary inspection. In secondary CBP officers discovered two packages concealed under his clothing. CBP officers removed the two packages which held a combined total weight of 2.2 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from these two seizures has an estimated street value of approximately $1,257,600 and $70,400 respectively. CBP officers turned the driver, passenger and pedestrian over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

“These loads of alleged cocaine have been stopped at the border by our CBP officers protecting our homeland. I applaud our officers’ vigilance and thank them for their dedication to our nations’ security,” 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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.