U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a load of cocaine worth about $608,147 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge on Wednesday. This seizure reflects the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking along the U.S.-Mexico border and the efforts of border agents to address it, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The operation led to the discovery of approximately 45.54 pounds of alleged cocaine, valued at about $608,147. The substances were concealed in a 2015 Nissan and were found during thorough inspections, including a non-intrusive inspection system and a trained canine unit. Port Director Tater Ortiz stated, “Our CBP officers use multiple enforcement tools when conducting their inspections and their efforts yielded this significant drug seizure keeping it from reaching our streets,” as reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A 22-year-old female U.S. citizen from McAllen, Texas, attempted to enter the U.S. when officers discovered 20 hidden packages of cocaine in her vehicle during a secondary inspection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the drugs and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations took her into custody and began a criminal investigation
