CBP Officers Seize $237,000 in Heroin Hidden in Aztec Calendar, Tortilla Press at Laredo Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 23, 2015, Comments Off
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
Laredo, Texas –U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seized a significant load of alleged heroin hidden in an unusual location, an Aztec calendar and a tortilla press.
“Hiding hard narcotics within everyday Mexican curios reflects the desperate efforts smuggling organizations would go through to attempt to move their product. Our successful interdiction of the heroin at the port reflects the resolve of our CBP officers, technicians and agriculture specialists to keep our border secure,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry.
The seizure occurred on March 16 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge when CBP officers, technicians and agriculture specialists were examining the baggage of a 54–year-old male Mexican citizen bus passenger from Dayton, Ohio. During the examination, CBP officers discovered packages hidden within a wooden Aztec calendar and tortilla press containing nearly six pounds of heroin. The estimated street value for the narcotics is $237,000.
CBP officers seized the narcotics, arrested the bus passenger and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
CBP Field Operations at Laredo Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.
