CBP Officers at Laredo Port of Entry Seize $2.5 Million in Marijuana and Cocaine this President’s Day Holiday Week
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Feb 21, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
LAREDO, TEXAS – As Laredo rolls into high gear for its annual Washington’s Birthday celebration activities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry this week did their part to ring in the holiday by seizing $2.5 million in marijuana and cocaine in four separate enforcement actions.
The latest seizure occurred Feb. 18 at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge . CBP officers referred a 1996 Freightliner hauling a commercial shipment of Mexican handicrafts for secondary inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers using canines and a non-intrusive imaging system detected bundles within stepping stones that contained nearly 759 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has an estimated street value of $759,000.
Also on Feb. 18, CBP officers at World Trade Bridge discovered nearly 78 pounds of marijuana hidden behind the seat of a 2009 Nissan stakebed truck driven by a 36-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo , Mexico . The marijuana has an estimated street value of $78,000.
Another seizure occurred on Feb. 17 at Gateway to the Americas Bridge . CBP officers seized nearly 284 pounds of marijuana hidden in the side panels of a 1993 GMC Rally X van driven by a 25-year-old U.S. citizen from Dallas . The marijuana has an estimated street value of $284,000.
On Feb. 13, CBP officers using canines and non-intrusive imaging systems at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge discovered 47 pounds of cocaine hidden in the dashboard area of a 2010 Ford Fiesta driven by a 35-year-old Mexican citizen from Monterrey , Mexico . The cocaine has an estimated street value of $1.5 million.
All four cases were referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the vehicles and the narcotics.
“Our frontline officers at the Laredo Port of Entry maintained their vigilance amid heavy President’s Day holiday traffic and they are to be commended for seizing four significant narcotics loads,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “These seizures give Laredo another reason to celebrate; CBP is helping to keep the borders safe by preventing these narcotics from reaching U.S. streets.”
