On Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that officers had confiscated more than $1.4 million worth of cocaine in two separate seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border.
These major seizures took place on Friday at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, which is one of the most important crossings between the United States and Mexico.
The first seizure occurred when CBP officials found 40 concealed packages inside a 2008 Toyota that was trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States.
A 22-year-old woman from McAllen, Texas, who is a citizen of the United States, was driving the vehicle.
It had over 91 pounds of what was thought to be cocaine inside. The driver was pulled over for an inspection, and following a thorough search of the vehicle, the narcotics were discovered.
The second seizure took place at the same bridge later that same day. A 27-year-old man from Mexico, who was driving a 2014 Chevrolet, tried to enter the United States but was given a secondary examination after the first screening.
After conducting a more thorough examination, the cops discovered a number of packages that contained about 16 pounds of what they believed to be cocaine.
The CBP officials apprehended both drivers and confiscated the drugs as well as the vehicles that were used in the smuggling attempts.
The cocaine that was seized in the first seizure was estimated to have a total market value of about $1,221,005.
The cocaine that was located in the second seizure had a street value of roughly $211,350. The significant size of these busts highlights the continuing difficulties that law enforcement encounters in their efforts to prevent drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations took both individuals into custody and detained them. They also seized the drugs.
“Our CBP officers work diligently to keep our borders secure and use many law enforcement tools to perform their duties which led to these significant drug seizures,” port director Tater Ortiz at the Brownsville Port of Entry stated.
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This most recent operation comes after a major seizure that was carried out by CBP authorities at the Laredo, Texas border crossing last month.
At that moment, officers seized 16 jugs that contained more than 757 pounds of methamphetamine, which was worth approximately $6.96 million.
These recent actions demonstrate that CBP and other government agencies are still working hard to stop drug smuggling enterprises and keep illegal drugs from coming into the United States.
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The seizures are part of a larger effort to stop the flow of illegal substances. Law enforcement agencies are increasing their inspections and coordination of operations in order to prevent these drugs from reaching American streets.
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