iStockphoto
Audio By Carbonatix
Federal agents in Texas recently announced that they had conducted a massive drug seizure of over $4.8 million worth of hard narcotics in a single bust. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations officers discovered the drugs inside what was supposed to be an “empty” trailer.
The massive narcotics seizure occurred last week at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas. It occurred after a CBP officer referred a “empty” 2013 Fontaine trailer for secondary inspection.
During that secondary inspection, Customs and Border Protection officers used a canine team and non-intrusive inspection system examination. It was then that they learned that this “empty” trailer actually contained a total of 149 packages containing 363 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The seized narcotics had an estimated street value of $4,851,052. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure.
“This cocaine seizure at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge highlights CBP’s commitment and the vital role of advanced technology in our daily operations,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry, in a press release announcing the drug seizure. “By utilizing nonintrusive inspection systems and intelligence-driven targeting, our Laredo team continues to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics, in turn protecting our communities.”
CBP
In another drug bust earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations officers at the Laredo Port of Entry discovered 15 packages of alleged methamphetamine that was worth more than $312,000 in street value. In that case, the CBP officers at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge pulled over a 45-year-old driver of a Chevy Suburban for secondary inspection when they found the narcotics hidden within the vehicle.
CBP
“As we begin to see increased traffic as local schools let out for the summer, our frontline CBP officers maintained their vigilance and stopped a significant load of methamphetamine,” said Port Director Albert Flores. “Continued enforcement activity such as this seizure illustrates the effectiveness of our border security mission and helps keep our communities safe.”