U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 36.7 pounds of crystal methamphetamine yesterday morning.
The drugs have an estimated street value of $880,800.
“This interdiction removes a sizeable amount of crystal methamphetamine from the streets of our communities and the reach of our youth,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good.
“CBP officers quickly and efficiently process thousands of law abiding commuters on a daily basis while also identifying those who willingly violate the laws of our nation.”
The seizure was made at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Thursday when a 1998 Ford pick-up arrived at the Paso Del Norte international crossing from Mexico.
The primary CBP officer referred the vehicle to secondary for an intensive inspection.
CBP drug sniffing dog “Tina” searched the pick-up and alerted to the odor of narcotics in the backseat area.
CBP officers removed 15 drug-filled bundles from the backseat compartment.
CBP officers arrested the driver, 57-year-old male of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
He was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
