LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Jennifer Gutierrez,

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers intercepted cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $790,000 in two separate, unrelated enforcement actions over the weekend.

“Drug trafficking organizations are persistent in their attempts to smuggle hard narcotics into the United States,” said Acting Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry. “As these two seizures aptly illustrate, through hard work and vigilance, we will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs at our ports of entry before they can harm our communities.”

The first seizure occurred on Friday, April 16th, at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2005 International tractor hauling an empty trailer for a secondary examination. The tractor was driven by a 27-year-old male Mexican citizen making entry from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 10 packages containing 27.77 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the driver’s belongings. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $214,200.

The second seizure occurred on Sunday, April 18th, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu for a secondary inspection. The vehicle was driven by a 48-year-old male U.S. citizen traveling from Mexico. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 40 packages containing 75.17 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $579,700.

The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $793,900.

CBP seized the narcotics, tractor and one vehicle. The drivers were arrested, and the cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.