Black Tar Heroin Hidden in Woman’s Boots

December 28, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered $129,000 in black tar heroin hidden in the boots of a female; one U.S. citizen was arrested. On December 27, primary CBP officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge encountered a woman as she applied for entry into the country as a pedestrian. At primary CBP officers referred the pedestrian for secondary inspection. Once in secondary the woman was identified as Jessica Gayle Smith, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen from Brownsville, Texas. CBP officers’ examination of the woman resulted in the discovery of two packages concealed within her boots. "Boger," a narcotics detector dog, further alerted officers to the odor of narcotics emanating from the footwear. CBP removed one package from each boot and seized a combined total of 2.3 pounds of black tar heroin.

The black tar heroin in this enforcement action has an estimated street value of nearly $129,000. Jessica Gayle Smith was arrested by CBP officers and turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate the seizure and processed her on federal drug charges.

“Brownsville CBP officers’ enforcement on primary resulted in the discovery of this load of black tar heroin. I congratulate our officers for stopping these dangerous drugs from being brought into the country,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director in Brownsville.