C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers Seize $520,000 in Heroin Discovered In Fruit Cans

(Monday, September 20, 2010)

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownville, Texas and Matamoros International Bridge seized heroin valued at approximately $520,000 discovered within four fruit cans.

A 20-year-old U.S. citizen female arrived at the port of entry Friday as a pedestrian. The CBP officer’s primary examination of the traveler’s belongings revealed four fruit cans along with other dry goods. The pedestrian was escorted for further examination where CBP officers’ inspection of the metal fruit cans revealed a hidden package within each. CBP officers removed the packages from the cans that contained a combined total weight of 2.34 kilograms (5.2 pounds) of heroin.

The heroin from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $520,000. CBP officers turned the woman over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.

“Brownsville CBP officers utilized their observational training and their vigilance which greatly contributed to this seizure and arrest. I congratulate our CBP officers for their professionalism and vigilance,â€