CBP Officers Seize $2.5 Million in Heroin at Eagle Pass Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 22, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
EAGLE PASS, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized $2.5 million in heroin, one of the larger heroin seizures in recent memory. The seizure occurred on Monday, July 19 at Bridge I when a CBP officer referred a 1998 Toyota Supra driven by a 33-year-old Mexican citizen from North Chicago , Ill. for a secondary inspection. In secondary, CBP officers discovered discrepancies in the cargo area and a CBP canine alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. A non-intrusive imaging system also indicated discrepancies in the cargo area. An intensive examination of the rear area of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 36 packages containing 25.5 pounds of heroin. The heroin has an estimated street value of $2.5 million.
CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation and seized the contraband. “Our officers applied their instincts, training, experience and technology in this inspection and result was a seizure of the largest load of heroin at the port so far this fiscal year,” said Cynthia O. Rodriguez, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass.
