“Our CBP officers intercepted these drugs and prevented them from reaching their destination,” 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 farther.”
On March 27, CBP officers at the Eagle Pass International Bridge inspected a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle with Mexican plates, driven by a Mexican citizen, as it arrived from Mexico. Officers utilized a non-intrusive imaging system and canine for inspection. The inspection resulted in the retrieval of three packages of alleged cocaine and one package of alleged Mexican black tar heroin from the firewall area of the vehicle. Officers seized a total of 8.23 pounds of alleged cocaine and 1.37 pounds of Mexican black tar heroin with a total worth estimated street value of $100,747.
The 45-year-old man from San Francisco Tepayanco, Toluca, Mexico, who was driving the Volkswagen Beetle, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigations. CBP officers seized the vehicle and narcotics.
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.