U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Laredo Port of Entry seized hard narcotics valued at $6.5 million in two separate, unrelated enforcement actions at the World Trade Bridge.
The first enforcement action occurred on November 23 when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a stake bed truck manifesting evaporator machines from Mexico. The 2004 GMC/C4 stake bed truck and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of seven packages containing 226.19 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $4,523,839.
The second narcotics interception at Laredo took place on November 25 when CBP officers referred a 2003 International tractor hauling a flatbed trailer carrying a shipment of marble for a secondary inspection. CBP officers examined the shipment utilizing a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, resulting in the discovery of 119 packages containing 256.61 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,978,800.
CBP officers seized the narcotics. The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
On November 24, CBP OFO officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted alleged methamphetamine and heroin worth $2,987,000 in a commercial shipment of fresh carrots arriving from Mexico.
A tractor/trailer hauling the commercial shipment of fresh carrots arrived from Mexico at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility and a CBP officer referred the conveyance for further inspection. The examination began with a non-intrusive imaging inspection of the conveyance and officers subsequently conducted a detailed secondary inspection, which resulted in the discovery of the narcotics. Officers removed 113 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 111 pounds (50.38 kg) and 31 packages of alleged heroin that weighed nearly 34 pounds (15.30 kg).
The heroin is valued at $765,000 and the methamphetamine at $2,222,000. CBP OFO seized the narcotics along with the tractor/trailer and HSI is investigating.
Meanwhile, CBP OFO officers at the Progreso Port of Entry intercepted a noteworthy amount of narcotics in one enforcement action over the Thanksgiving holiday.
On November 26, a CBP officer referred a tractor with an empty trailer for a secondary examination. Utilizing a canine and non-intrusive imaging equipment as part of the secondary examination, officers discovered 16 packages of heroin weighing 36 pounds, and 163 packages of cocaine weighing 381 pounds concealed within the trailer.
The narcotics are valued at $3,752,240. CBP OFO seized the narcotics along with the tractor/trailer and the case remains under investigation by HSI.
