CBP Arrest 23 Fugitives, Nabs Cocaine, Fentanyl, Marijuana in Week

The U.S. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.
The U.S. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which was recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, has announced that within the span of a single week CBP Officers at the El Paso area ports of entry, confiscated over 71 pounds of cocaine, 0.74 pounds of fentanyl, 109 pounds of marijuana and arrested 23 fugitives from justice.

The first narcotics interception occurred on Thursday July 8 at the Paso Del Norte border Crossing, when a drug sniffing CBP canine alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from a Chevy Trail Blazer driven by 24-year-old United States citizen.

Upon further search of the vehicle, CBP Officers discovered a total of 101 bundles with a weight of 109 pounds of marijuana, which were hidden in the car’s doors and beneath the hood.

The following day, CBP Officers intercepted over 67 pounds of cocaine from United States citizens in three unrelated drug smuggling attempts.

(See for yourself about how the U.S. CBP works to manage, control and protect our nation’s borders at – and between official ports of entry every day. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and YouTube. Posted on Jul 15, 2021.) 

Early Friday morning, CBP Officers at the Paso Del Norte border crossing seized over 26 pounds of cocaine hidden in the quarter panels of a Nissan Sentra driven by a 19-year-old female.

Later that day at the Ysleta Port of Entry, CBP Officers inspected a Toyota Corolla driven by a 24-year-old man and discovered 13 bundles of cocaine weighing 30 pounds, hidden in the vehicle.

Only moments later back at the Paso Del Norte border crossing, CBP Officers discovered the third narcotics seizure of the day when a 26-year-old male attempted to smuggle 10 pounds of cocaine hidden in the seats of a Hyundai Azera.

Lastly, on Saturday morning, at the Ysleta Port of Entry, CBP Officers discovered over four pounds of cocaine and .74 pounds of fentanyl inside the engine area of a Dodge pickup truck, driven by a 30-year-old United States citizen.

“CBP Officers continue to work hard and remain dedicated to securing our border” explained CBP Director, Field Operations Hector A. Mancha.

Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations
Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations

“These interceptions and arrests are examples of the remarkable job our CBP Officers do every day to keep our country safe.”

In addition to the narcotics interceptions, CBP Officers from across the El Paso Field Office, which spans across West Texas and New Mexico, arrested 23 fugitives from justice.

The arrests made were for crimes which include probation violation, theft, assault, alien smuggling, dangerous drugs, failure to appear, larceny, crimes arrest morality and decency, and terroristic threats.

All subjects were arrested by CBP Officers and turned over to local and federal authorities to face charges.