CBP Officers Seize Over Half a Million in Cocaine, Marijuana, and Arrest One at Laredo Port of Entry

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Laredo, Tex. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry, in less than one hour, thwarted two smuggling attempts of over 17 pounds of cocaine valued at over half a million dollars, and 59 pounds of marijuana that resulted in the arrest of one.

The first incident occurred on Thursday, Dec. 27 shortly after 3 a.m. at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge. CBP officers referred a 1996 Isuzu Rodeo driven by a 50-year-old permanent U.S. resident from San Antonio, Tex. for secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers detected discrepancies within the vehicle’s gas tank area. Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, a scan of the vehicle revealed anomalies within the tank of the SUV. CBP canine “Tower” alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the same area where the anomaly had been detected. Upon further examination of the gas tank and a closer visual inspection utilizing a fiber-optic scope, CBP officers discovered two metal boxes tucked within the hollowed out gas tank. A total of three bundles containing 59 pounds of marijuana were removed. The marijuana has a street value of $59,000. CBP officers arrested the driver on federal drug violations and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents who investigated the seizure. The vehicle was seized.

In the second seizure which occurred less than 40 minutes later, CBP officers at the same bridge referred a 2002 MCI passenger bus for secondary examination. The bus was being driven by a 39-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Once all passengers in the bus had exited, CBP canine “Martin” alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the back seats area of the bus. Upon further examination and a closer visual inspection of the seats, CBP officers discovered seven cellophane wrapped bundles underneath two of the back seats. The seven packages contained 17 pounds of cocaine valued at $544,000. Although no immediate arrest was made in this case, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents are continuing the investigation into this seizure and federal drug violations charges are pending. CBP officers also seized the bus.