U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $547,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Gateway International Bridge on Thursday discovered cocaine valued at approximately $547,200 concealed within a Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

On Thursday, March 15, 2012 CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a male driving a blue 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as it arrived at CBP primary booths for a primary inspection. The driver, identified as a 38-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas was referred to secondary for further inspection. Examination by CBP officers in secondary revealed 14 concealed packages hidden within the Ford. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle which had a combined total weight of 7.74 kilograms (17.1 pounds) of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $547,200. 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.

“Brownsville CBP officers protecting our borders have prevented these dangerous narcotics from reaching their intended destination. This seizure reiterates our officers’ commitment to safeguarding our country. This is outstanding work by our frontline CBP officers,” 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.