US CBP Officers Seize $445K Worth of Narcotics

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge intercepted a load of alleged methamphetamine and heroin. CBP officers discovered the narcotics hidden within a 2006 Toyota.

“Our officers use a variety of law enforcement tools in conducting their inspections to secure our borders and continue to intercept dangerous narcotics, ensuring that they don’t reach our streets and neighborhoods,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

The seizure took place on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at the Gateway International Bridge when a 57-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2006 Toyota.  The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection.  In secondary, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII), CBP officers discovered six packages which contained a total of 13.84 pounds of alleged methamphetamine and three packages which contained a total of 7.45 pounds of alleged heroin hidden within the 2006 Dodge.  CBP officers removed the packages.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizure is approximately $445,897.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicle, arrested the driver and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.