U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized over $297,000 in alleged cocaine on Monday at the Los Indios International Bridge along the southern border between the United States and Mexico.
In a Wednesday press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that a load of alleged cocaine worth $297,892 was seized by Brownsville Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Los Indios International Bridge cargo lot. The press release noted that the alleged cocaine was “hidden within a tractor trailer.”
“The seizure took place on Monday, Aug. 18, at the Los Indios International Bridge. CBP officers referred a tractor trailer for a secondary examination after a nonintrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated. “While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered nine packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 22.3 pounds of alleged cocaine.”
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection explained in Wednesday’s press release that the illegal drugs were seized along with the vehicle that the cocaine was being transported in. Officials confirmed that a criminal investigation was launched by special agents working for Homeland Security Investigations
“Regardless of the mode of transportation, our officers remain vigilant in the performance of their duties,” Brownsville Port of Entry Director Tater Ortiz said. “Their efforts led to this significant drug seizure, keeping it from reaching our streets and communities.”
Customs and Border Protection South Texas shared a picture Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, of the cocaine seized on Monday at the Los Indios International Bridge.
Monday’s seizure comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Friday that officials intercepted $572,235 in alleged cocaine on Thursday at the Los Indios International Bridge. U.S. Customs and Border Protection accused a 32-year-old male U.S. citizen of attempting to bring the alleged cocaine into the United States in a 2011 Honda vehicle.
During Thursday’s incident, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials found 19 packages in the Honda vehicle and discovered 42.85 pounds of alleged cocaine. Homeland Security Investigations arrested the 32-year-old and launched an investigation into the incident.
