Philly CBP Records 7th Largest Local Cocaine Seizure

Officers Find 386 Pounds Concealed in Pick-Up Truck Barged From Puerto Rico

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Local Customs and Border Protection officers recorded their seventh largest cocaine seizure July 9 when officers discovered 386 pounds of cocaine concealed inside the body of a pick-up truck shipped from Puerto Rico.

The cocaine has an approximate street value of about $12 million.

According to CBP records dating back to 1990, this is also the 12th largest seizure of any illicit narcotics at the CBP Port of Philadelphia.

While conducting non-intrusive inspections of vehicles that arrived at Petty’s Island, N.J., CBP officers discovered anomalies within the bed panels and extended cab doors of a 2006 Chevrolet C1500 pick-up truck.

CBP officers disassembled the panels and doors and discovered 148 packages of a white, powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. The packages had a combined weight of 386 pounds, 4 ounces.

“This is a significant cocaine seizure and an outstanding example of how Customs and Border Protection officers employ technology to intercept narcotics smuggling attempts,” said Allan Martocci, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “Let this seizure be a warning that Customs and Border Protection officers remain committed to stopping nefarious narcotics networks from smuggling their deadly poison through the Port of Philadelphia.”

This is the second cocaine seizure in two months on vehicles barged from Puerto Rico to Petty’s Island. On May 15, CBP officers discovered or about 23 pounds, 12 ounces, in 10 bricks that were concealed inside the rear seat of a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. The cocaine had an estimated street value of about $700,000.

CBP turned over the pick-up truck and cocaine to agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.