EAGLE PASS, TX – This past Christmas weekend, the U.S Customs and Border Protection officers were engaged in two separate operations that led to the seizure of over $45,000 worth of marijuana and a halting in a human smuggling attempt.
On Christmas Eve, officers inspected a 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 with Mexican plates on the Camino Real International Bridge. After using a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine, the CBP officers located 70 bundles, approximately 229.55 pounds, of alleged marijuana hidden in the bed liner of the tuck.
The marijuana is estimated to have a street value of $45,909. The driver, a 19-year-old Mexican male, was turned over to Homeland Security for further investigation.
Additionally, on Christmas Day, a 33-year-old female from Austin, driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra, was questioned after her she attempted to smuggle in her male passenger illegally.
According to a press release by the Eagle Pass CBP Office, the male presented a U.S birth certificate, and after further questioning, the officers found out the man was a Mexican citizen without legal documents that would allow him to enter the country legally. The woman had allegedly provided the male passenger with the birth certificate.
The female driver will have to appear before a U.S. magistrate for alleged violation of immigration law.
“This interception of dangerous drugs and human smuggling exemplifies the teamwork of our officers working at our port,” said Port Director John Brandt of Eagle Pass Port of Entry.
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