U.S. CBP Officers in South Texas Seize Nearly $790,000 in Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville International Bridges discovered cocaine and methamphetamine valued at over $789,000 in two separate enforcement actions.

On Wednesday, August 15, at the Los Indios International Bridge, CBP officers encountered a blue Kia Sportage being driven by a 36-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in La Feria, Texas. A CBP officer referred the Kia and its driver for a secondary examination. In secondary CBP officers discovered four packages hidden within the battery of the Kia Sportage. CBP officers removed the packages containing approximately 12.3 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second case on Wednesday took place at the Veterans’ International Bridge. CBP officers working northbound inspections came in contact with a female as she arrived at the port of entry driving a tan 1999 Audi A4. The 18-year-old woman was accompanied by two females age 18 and 37, and a 41-year-old male; all residents of Houston and U.S. citizens. All four were selected and escorted to a secondary inspection. In secondary, CBP officers discovered 16 packages hidden in the rear of the Audi. CBP officers removed the packages, which held a combined total weight of 26.4 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.

The alleged cocaine and methamphetamine from these seizures has an estimated street value of approximately $393,600 and $396,000, respectively. CBP officers turned the drivers and the passengers in the second case over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles.

“Two separate enforcement actions by Brownsville’s CBP officers have resulted in the interception of these dangerous drugs and the arrest of five alleged suspected smugglers. I congratulate our officers for these detections, seizures and arrests and for their continued efforts to keep our country safe,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville Port of Entry.

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.