C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Agents Seize $7.6 Million in Cocaine at Texas Checkpoint

(Friday, March 06, 2009)

Laredo, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Laredo North station stopped an attempt to smuggle several hundred pounds of cocaine Thursday night.

Border Patrol agents working at checkpoint in Laredo, Texas yesterday found three cellophane-wrapped bundles of cocaine hidden in boxes that held ceramic toilets. The cocaine had a street value of $7.6 million.

Agents working at the Interstate 35 checkpoint performed an immigration inspection on the driver of a tractor-trailer that drove into the facility. During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine alerted toward the trailer. Agents inspected the trailer with the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System that uses gamma rays to produce an image similar to an x-ray. The machine image showed some anomalies among the load of ceramic toilets being hauled in the trailer.

Agents searched the cargo and found three boxes containing cellophane-wrapped bundles. The bundles contained cocaine with a total weight of 237.8 pounds and an estimated street value of $7.6 million.

The drugs, driver and vehicle from were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Laredo Sector Public Affairs Office
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 764-3041 or
(956) 764-3243

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_4.xml