03/18/2010

CBP Officers Seize Nearly $1.9 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine hidden within a Nissan Tiida.

On Tuesday, March 16, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, CBP officers encountered a tan 2009 Nissan Tiida driven by a 20-year-old female Mexico citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. At primary a CBP officer referred the Nissan for a secondary inspection. CBP officers working in the secondary examination area discovered two compartments within the Nissan. Upon further inspection officers removed 24 packages containing a total of 26.40 kilograms (58.2 pounds) of cocaine.

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of $1,862,400. CBP officers turned the driver over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation.

“A meticulous examination by CBP officers led to the discovery of this load of cocaine. This is a good interception of a substantial amount of cocaine and another great job by Brownsville’s CBP officers,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville port of entry.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/03172010_6.xml