Customs and Border Protection officers at the Veterans International Bridge scored a big win against drug trafficking last Thursday, making a major cocaine bust worth an estimated street value of over $300,000. A 46-year-old man from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, was arrested after 22.66 pounds of alleged cocaine were found stashed in a 1996 Volvo he was driving into the U.S., as reported by an official CBP release.
Port Director Tater Ortiz from the Brownsville Port of Entry praised his officers' vigilance, which led to the interception of a significant load of narcotics. "As our officers go about their routine duties, they remain vigilant and their diligence paid off when they intercepted this significant load of narcotics," Ortiz emphasized, according to the CBP release. During a primary inspection at the bridge, the officers decided to take a closer look at the vehicle, moving it to a secondary inspection area where the discovery was made with the help of a canine unit and a non-intrusive inspection system (NII).
The discovery was not limited to drugs alone—officials also uncovered a handgun, along with two magazines and ammunition, further complicating the driver's legal situation. The presence of a firearm added greater gravity to the incident. The CBP officers confiscated the narcotics, handgun, magazines, ammunition, and the vehicle onsite. Homeland Security Investigations special agents then took the driver into custody and initiated a criminal investigation.
Updates from the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office and other CBP South Texas news can routinely be found on social media. Their X accounts frequently post breaking news, current events, human interest stories, and related photographs, keeping the public informed about the ongoing battle at the border against illegal activities. All eyes are on the field—hearts and minds tracking the narrative of enforcement and justice as it unfolds in posts and snapshots. Follow them at @DFOLaredo and @CBPSouthTexas for the latest information.
