Border patrol seizes more than $400K in alleged cocaine in two enforcement actions

The enforcement actions found nearly 30 pounds of what may be cocaine bound for the U.S.

Published: August 21, 2024 10:01am

Updated: August 21, 2024 10:31am

Officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Brownsville Port of Entry in Texas have seized two shipments, possibly cocaine valued at more than $400,000, the agency announced Wednesday.

On Monday, CBP intercepted a 31-year-old Mexican attempting to enter the U.S. at the Veterans International Bridge in Texas. CBP referred the vehicle to secondary inspection, where a canine unit and a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) revealed nine suspicious packages concealed in the vehicle.

The packages containing what may be cocaine weighed 20.96 pounds.

On Tuesday, CBP intercepted a 20-year-old American attempting to enter the U.S. at the Gateway International Bridge in Texas. CBP also referred this vehicle to secondary inspection for canine and NII inspection, revealing four packages concealed in the vehicle.

The packages weighed 8.99 pounds.

CBP reported, "the estimated street value of the [alleged] cocaine from the two seizures is approximately $279,936 and $120,098 respectively."

Officers seized the narcotics and vehicles. Homeland Security Investigations arrested the drivers and began criminal investigations.