U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $510,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Linda Campell 3 January 2012

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge recently intercepted approximately $509,760 of cocaine concealed within a Chevrolet Impala.

On December 27, CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a male driving a white 2001 Chevrolet Impala as he arrived at a CBP primary inspection booth. The driver, identified as a 23-year-old male United States citizen, residing in Brownsville, was referred for a secondary inspection. An examination by CBP officers during the secondary inspection revealed six concealed packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the Chevrolet. Upon removal, the packages had a combined total weight of 15.93 pounds.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $509,760. CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

“Protecting our borders is what the dedicated men and women of CBP do on a daily basis. Keeping drugs out of our country and off our streets is a direct result of their vigilance and service, two of the CBP core values. I congratulate the Brownsville CBP officers on this interception and arrest; and also for their continuous integrity in protecting us all,” said Michael Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville port of entry.

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.

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