In a significant drug interdiction effort, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized an estimated $566,000 worth of heroin. According to a CBP press release, the narcotics bust took place earlier this week.
As per the details shared by CBP, the discovery was made on Wednesday at the Camino Real International Bridge. A 2013 Chevrolet pickup was flagged for a closer inspection, which appears to routinely include CBP canine units and high-tech scanning equipment. It's these tools that had allowed to quickly identify the hidden substances. During the secondary inspection, officers found 10 packages containing close to 34 pounds of alleged heroin concealed within the vehicle.
The street value of the narcotics is reported to be approximately $566,681. Port Director Pete Beattie expressed his viewpoint on the seizure: “Significant heroin seizures like these underscore the reality of the drug threat our frontline CBP officers face on a daily basis and illustrate their resolve in detecting, interdicting this poison and preventing it from reaching U.S streets,” he said, highlighting the seriousness of the drug situation and the efforts by officers to address it, as per CBP.
Following the seizure, CBP seized not only the narcotics but also the vehicle involved in the incident. Homeland Security Investigations special agents have since initiated a detailed criminal investigation into the matter. More details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
