(Friday, October 29, 2010)
contacts for this news release
Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge on Thursday discovered cocaine valued at approximately $390,400 concealed within a Toyota Camry.
On Thursday, Oct. 28, CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a man as he drove a 1994 gold Toyota Camry into the country. The driver, identified as a 26-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico was referred to secondary for further inspection. CBP officers in the secondary inspection area discovered five packages concealed within the Toyota. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which had a combined total weight of 5.52 kilograms (12.2 pounds) of cocaine.
The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $390,400. CBP officers turned the man over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle.
“This interception of narcotics illustrates the enthusiasm with which our officers carry out their mission each day. This is remarkable work by Brownsville’s CBP officers as they safeguard our homeland at the border,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
