Texas Border Agents Seize Over $5 Million Worth Of Cocaine, Meth, And Heroin In 3 Major Busts

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Rio Grande City and Progreso, Texas seized more than $3 million in cocaine and $1.8 million worth of meth in just two busts last week. A third seizure pushed the dollar value of the narcotics seized to over $5 million.

Officers at the Rio Grande City Port of Entry discovered and seized 100 packages containing a total of 228 pounds of cocaine hidden in what was manifested as a shipment of charcoal. CBP estimated the cocaine to have a street value of $3,044,859.

The seizure occurred on August 24 at the Rio Grande City International Bridge after a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer for secondary inspection. The illegal drugs were then discovered using a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines.

“Our frontline officers continue to exercise vigilance in the cargo environment and their inspection skill coupled with technology and our canine unit all contributed to this significant seizure,” said Port Director Rogelio Olivares, Rio Grande City Port of Entry.

Just two days prior to the big bust at the border in Rio Grande City, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Progreso Port of Entry seized nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine worth $1.8 million.

That seizure occurred Aug. 22 at the Progreso International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a vehicle driven by a 27-year-old male U.S. citizen for secondary inspection.

Again, using a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines, CBP agents were able to discover 108 packages containing 196 pounds of methamphetamine.

“This seizure exemplifies their dedication to CBP’s border security mission and their commitment to keeping dangerous drugs from coming into the country and infiltrating our community’s streets,” said Port Director Walter Weaver, Progreso/Donna Port of Entry.

Over in Laredo, Texas, on the same day Rio Grande City CBP officers seized over $3 million worth of cocaine, border patrol agents seized hard narcotics that totaled over $773,000 in street value.

On Aug. 24, at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, 18.07 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $241,375 was found within a vehicle driven by a 28-year-old female Mexican citizen.

The next day, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge, a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen was busted trying to smuggle 53.79 pounds of methamphetamine, 660 grams of cocaine and 500 grams of black tar heroin within her vehicle. Those narcotics combined had an estimated street value of $532,583.