C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers in Laredo Discover Vehicles with $1.4 Million in Cocaine, $99,000 in Marijuana

(Monday, March 01, 2010)

Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo port of entry over the weekend intercepted cocaine and marijuana in two separate enforcement actions. The two loads of narcotics are valued at more than $1.5 million.

The latest of the two seizures occurred February 27 at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge. CBP officers referred a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV driven by a 34-year-old U. S. citizen from Laredo, Texas for secondary inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered 18 bundles containing 45 pounds of cocaine within the interior of the vehicle. The cocaine has an estimated value of $1,440,000.

The other seizure occurred on February 26 at the same bridge when CBP officers encountered a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by a 31-year-old Mexican citizen from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. CBP officers using a non-intrusive imaging system detected bundles within the tires of the vehicle. A total of 24 bundles containing 99 pounds of marijuana were extracted from the vehicle’s tires. The 99 pounds of marijuana are valued at $99,000.

Both matters have been referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation

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
Mucia C. Dovalina
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 523-7307

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