U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry recently intercepted a significant amount of methamphetamine, valued at over $1.1 million, in a single enforcement action.
Port Director Tater Ortiz from the Brownsville Port of Entry stated, "This significant methamphetamine seizure underscores the commitment of our officers in upholding our border security mission and the results achieved through the effective application of CBP officer training, experience and technology."
The incident took place on November 19, 2024, at the Gateway International Bridge. A 21-year-old female U.S. citizen attempted to enter the United States driving a 2014 Nissan. After an initial inspection, her vehicle was sent for further examination. During this secondary inspection, aided by a canine unit and non-intrusive inspection system (NII), CBP officers found 43 packages concealed within the vehicle. These packages contained approximately 124.29 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.
The street value of these narcotics is estimated to be around $1,111,137.
Following this discovery, CBP officers seized both the narcotics and the vehicle involved. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested the driver and have started a criminal investigation into the matter.
For updates on similar incidents or other news from CBP’s Laredo Field Office or U.S. Customs and Border Protection South Texas region, follow their social media accounts on X and Instagram under @DFOLaredo and @CBPSouthTexas respectively.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains America's frontline defense as it continues its mission with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting national borders across land, air, and sea while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
