Border patrol officers at the Presidio port of entry got their hands on more than just paperwork this past Thursday, when they intercepted a sizable haul of cocaine. According to a report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the 20.6-pound stash and a personal amount of methamphetamine were seized during a routine stop.
The bust went down around 8:30 a.m. when a 42-year-old male Mexican citizen drove a 2014 GMC Acadia from Mexico into the U.S. After being singled out for a secondary inspection, a CBP drug-sniffing dog signaled to the vehicle, leading to its search. Unique among many such reports, the dog's trained nose didn't just sniff out the narcotics; the canine discovery prompted a more thorough check by officers, finding seven bundles of cocaine hidden inside the SUV's frame. CBP officers also found a quantity of methamphetamine intended for personal use on the driver.
Presidio port director Benito Reyes Jr. highlighted the diligence of his staff, "CBP officers working at the Presidio port remain vigilant in their efforts to stop any contraband that individuals attempt to move through this facility," he stated. "This sizeable cocaine load did not make it to its intended destination because of our efforts," according to CBP.
After the discovery, the driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and now faces federal prosecution, which has been accepted.
