Eagle Pass CBP Officers Seize Cocaine at Port of Entry

EAGLE PASS – Federal authorities at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry intercepted a load of cocaine, with a street value in excess of $400,000, Thursday evening.

“Preventing illegal narcotics from entering the country at our ports of entry is one of the key goals of U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” said John Brandt, CBP Acting Port Director, Eagle Pass. “Our officers rely on training and experience in carrying out this mission.”

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, CBP officers, at Eagle Pass Bridge I, inspected a 2000 Mercedes Benz SUV as it arrived from Mexico. Using a non-intrusive imaging system, and a CBP canine, officers discovered 10 packages of cocaine hidden in the body panels in the front of the vehicle. CBP officers recovered a total of 13.86 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $443,520.

The driver, a 32-year-old Tyler man, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.

The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.