“This interception of illegal drugs truly exemplifies the teamwork of our officers working at our port,” said Port Director John Brandt, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. “Our officers employed a combination of observational skills and high tech tools to uncover this load and prevent it from going any further.”

At approximately 8:30 p.m., Oct. 9, CBP officers inspected a 1996 Dodge Ram pickup as it arrived from Mexico at the Camino Real International Bridge. After noticing signs of tampering around the bed of the pickup, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imaging system and CBP canine for further inspection. CBP officers retrieved 70 packages of suspected marijuana from a non-factory compartment. Officers seized a total of 197 pounds of marijuana.

The driver, a 25-year-old Fort Worth man, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.

The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.