Yesterday's routine check at Progreso International Bridge took a sharp turn when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered a hefty load of cocaine hidden within a vehicle. A 21-year-old woman from McAllen, Texas, was subjected to a secondary inspection that, thanks to CBP's non-intrusive inspection technology and canines, led to the seizure of nearly 50 pounds of the drug with a street value estimated at almost $640,000.
The inspection unfolded when a CBP officer grew suspicious of the young woman's vehicle, prompting the more thorough search. The find is yet another testament to the diligence of CBP officers in their ongoing battle against narcotics trafficking. Port Director Jorge Galvan commented on the bust, "Our frontline officers continue to exercise great vigilance and dedication to keeping dangerous narcotics off of the streets of our communities. This seizure illustrates CBP’s commitment to advancing and prioritizing CBP’s border security mission," as reported in a CBP press release.
The drugs were hidden within 20 packages secreted inside the woman's vehicle. Upon their discovery, the CBP seized the narcotics and the car. The bust led to the arrest of the driver, whose identity has not been released. She now faces charges relating to drug trafficking, as Homeland Security Investigations has taken up the case for further criminal probing.
