In what was a routine day turned significant at the Rio Grande City Port of Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a substantial drug interception, seizing over $1.7 million worth of methamphetamine concealed in a passenger vehicle. The bust illustrates the ongoing struggle of law enforcement agencies in tackling the narcotics trade at our borders.
The discovery happened on Tuesday, during a meticulous inspection process that involved a referral for secondary inspection of a Mexican citizen. The 26-year-old driver was maneuvering a 2016 Kia Sorrento across the Rio Grande City International Bridge when she was stopped by CBP officers, according to a CBP release. The enforcement action began when "our frontline CBP officers utilized an effective combination of technology and inspections experience to take down this significant load of methamphetamine," said Rogelio Olivares, Port Director of the Rio Grande City Port of Entry.
A canine unit along with a nonintrusive inspection system examination, led to the discovery of 83 packages containing a total of 191.40 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. The find was hidden within the structural integrity of the vehicle, a common tactic observed by customs officers in drug smuggling attempts.
The street value of the narcotics is estimated at approximately $1.760 million. CBP seized both the narcotics, and the vehicle, before handing over the case to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA arrested the driver and is investigating to uncover the drug operation behind the smuggling attempt.
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