texas border operations
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry arrested drug suspects in two separate enforcement actions with a total estimated street value of $768,867. .
“Our CBP officers work relentlessly to keep our borders secure, and their diligence led to this significant drug seizure,” said Tater Ortiz, Port Director, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The first seizure occurred on Tuesday, November 12, at the Gateway International Bridge, when a 37-year-old American citizen from Brownsville, Texas, attempted to enter the United States in a 2010 Nissan vehicle. After the initial inspection, the vehicle was sent to secondary CBP for further inspection. Second, with the help of a canine unit and non-intrusive inspection system (NII), CBP officers discovered nine packages hidden inside the vehicle. CBP officers removed a package containing a total of 21.95 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The second seizure occurred on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge, when a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen from Baytown, Texas, attempted to enter the United States in a 2006 Hummer. After the initial inspection, the vehicle was sent to secondary CBP for further inspection. Secondarily, with the help of a canine unit and non-intrusive inspection system (NII), CBP officers discovered 15 packages hidden inside the vehicle. CBP officers removed the package containing a total of 35.62 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is approximately $293,182 and $475,685, respectively.
CBP officers seized the drugs along with the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested the driver and began a criminal investigation.
