CBP Officers Seize $1.3 Million in Heroin
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 16, 2009, 0 Comments
Hidden in Battery at Laredo Port of Entry; Two Arrested
Laredo , Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Laredo Port of Entry discovered a car battery that held more than a charge, but the shock was on the vehicle passengers instead after officers discovered $1.3 million in heroin. Also this week, CBP officers discovered $200,000 in heroin tucked into a pair of boots.
The most recent heroin seizure occurred on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge . A CBP officer had observed a boot-laden pedestrian with an odd walk and referred him for additional screening. CBP Canine “X-box” alerted to the boots and a baggage X-ray scan indicated anomalies within the boots. CBP officers probed the boots and discovered two packages containing a total of 2.3 pounds of heroin in the boot soles. CBP officers arrested pedestrian Alejo Valle Morales, 36, a Mexican citizen from Cleburne , Texas and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who investigated the seizure and processed him on federal drug charges.
The larger heroin seizure occurred on Monday, July 13, 2009 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . A CBP officer referred a 1999 Ford Taurus driven by Javier Sepulveda Salinas, an 18-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas , Mexico for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers noted discrepancies in a large vehicle battery in the trunk. A CBP agriculture specialist scanned the battery through a baggage X-ray and discovered anomalies within the battery. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination and extracted six bundles containing a total of nearly 13 and a half pounds of heroin. The heroin has an estimated street value of $1.3 million. CBP officers arrested Sepulveda Salinas and vehicle passenger Alonso Briceño Franco, 18, also a Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas , Mexico and turned the pair over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who investigated the seizure and processed them on federal drug charges.
Also on Monday, CBP officers at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge seized a load of cocaine and apprehended a driver after a brief foot chase. A CBP officer referred a 1981 Chevy pickup driven by Rogelio Martinez Ibarra, 49, a Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo , Tamaulipas , Mexico for a secondary examination. As the examination began, Martinez Ibarra started to run toward Mexico but was quickly apprehended by CBP officers. CBP officers resumed their examination of the vehicle and CBP Canine “Donna” alerted to the vehicle’s dashboard area. Further probing of the dashboard area yielded a package containing 2.75 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $88,000. CBP officers arrested Martinez Ibarra and turned him over to ICE special agents who investigated the seizure and processed him on federal drug charges.
“Our frontline CBP officers and agriculture specialists working together discovered a substantial amount of heroin hidden in that battery. Their perseverance and training contributed to this success and helped CBP keep this poison from polluting our streets and cities,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo .
