Eagle Pass was the site of a significant drug bust this past weekend, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a large shipment of heroin. According to a statement obtained by CBP, officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized more than $267,000 worth of the illicit drug in a single enforcement action.
"Our frontline CBP officers continue to maintain strict vigilance and this significant heroin seizure reflects the effectiveness of utilizing inspections experience, technology to interdict hard narcotics loads like these," Port Director Pete Beattie, Eagle Pass Port of Entry, said as the van intercepted containing five packages of nearly 16 pounds of alleged heroin was scrutinized. Utilizing both their trained canine and non-intrusive inspection technologies, officers conducted a secondary examination of the 2015 Ford van that had been referred for a closer look, as stated in the press release.
The bust occurred last Saturday at the Camino Real International Bridge, leading to the arrest and subsequent initiation of a criminal investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents. During the physical examination, officers found the hidden narcotics cleverly concealed within the vehicle's structure, preventing them from reaching the streets where they could have caused significant harm.
CBP reported that the narcotics, estimated to have a street value of about $267,414, were seized along with the vehicles. The processed heroin is now moving through the law enforcement and legal system.
