CBP officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seize methamphetamine worth nearly $1 million

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized methamphetamine in separate, unrelated incidents that totaled nearly $1 million in street value.

“The smuggling of illicit narcotics is a serious international health and security threat,” said Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP will continue to intercept these dangerous drugs using every tool at our disposal.”

The first enforcement action occurred on March 8th, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge after a CBP officer encountered a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu making entry from Mexico.

The vehicle was referred for a secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, CBP officers discovered a total of three packages containing 9.52 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the vehicle. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $190,477.

The second seizure, also on March 8, occurred at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado hauling a shipment of polyurethane decorations arriving from Mexico.

The truck and shipment were referred for a secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive imaging system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 62 packages containing 40.38 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the shipment. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $807,677.

The narcotics have a combined street value of $998,154.

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

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-863-9382 or contacting their website at http://www.cbp.gov.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.