'Rooster' helps CBP seize more than $1 million in cocaine

August 25, 2009 10:11 AM
By ILDEFONSO ORTIZ
The Brownsville Herald

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported more than $1 million in cocaine and the arrest of a Matamoros man.

Leonardo Antonio Gomez, 18, was arrested Saturday afternoon at the B&M International Bridge and was later charged with possession with intent to distribute approximately 32 pounds of cocaine, according to the criminal complaint.

On Monday morning, Gomez went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio, who ordered he be held without bond pending a detention hearing on Aug. 27 and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.

The arrest took place when Gomez drove a 2005 Gold Chevrolet Silverado to an inspection booth at the bridge and was referred to a secondary inspection area, said an agency press release.

Officers at the area noticed discrepancies to the truck’s seat area and brought 'Rooster' a narcotic-detecting canine that confirmed the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, CBP said.

The truck was put through a non-intrusive imaging system, which revealed hidden compartments in the truck, where officers found packages that contained 32 pounds of cocaine, the release said.

The cocaine seized has an estimated street value of more than $1 million, CBP said.

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