CBP Officers Seize $10.1 Million Worth of Narcotics at World Trade Bridge

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Laredo Port of Entry seized hard narcotics valued at $10.1 million in four separate, unrelated enforcement actions at the World Trade Bridge.

“International trade continues to show extraordinary growth, causing illicit drug traffickers to become bold in their attempts to smuggle contraband through commercial supply chains,” said Acting Port Director Andrew Douglas, Laredo Port of Entry.

The first enforcement action occurred on Monday, September 21st when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a truck manifesting a fifth wheel boom from Mexico.  The 2004 Ford F-150 and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 24 packages containing 59.17 pounds of alleged cocaine discovered within the shipment.  The narcotics have an estimated street value of $456,280.

Later that evening, CBP officers referred a 2010 International tractor hauling a shipment of foam chips for a secondary inspection.  Following a canine and x-ray inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of 130 packages containing 3,186.56 pounds of alleged marijuana within the shipment.  The narcotics have an estimated street value of $637,305.

The third narcotics interception took place on Tuesday, September 22nd when CBP officers referred a 1999 Ford F-550 carrying a shipment of brake parts for a secondary inspection.  CBP officers examined the shipment utilizing a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, resulting in the discovery of 200 packages containing 448.59 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the shipment.  The narcotics have an estimated street value of $ 8,971,840.

The fourth seizure occurred later that evening, when CBP officers referred a 2009 International trailer and its shipment of car parts for a secondary inspection.  Officers examined the merchandise utilizing a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, resulting in the discovery of two packages containing 2.16 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the shipment.  The narcotics have an estimated street value of $43,210.

The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $10,108,635.

CBP officers seized the narcotics.  The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.