U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted cocaine in two separate incidents with a combined estimated street value of $1,432,355.

“Our CBP officers work diligently to keep our borders secure and use many law enforcement tools to perform their duties which led to these significant drug seizures,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first incident occurred on January 24 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge. A 22-year-old female U.S. citizen from McAllen, Texas, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2008 Toyota. Her vehicle was referred for further examination after initial inspection. With assistance from a canine unit, officers found 40 packages hidden inside the vehicle containing approximately 91.44 pounds of cocaine.

The second seizure happened the same day at the Gateway International Bridge. A 27-year-old male Mexican citizen residing in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico attempted entry in a 2014 Chevrolet. The vehicle was sent for secondary inspection where officers used a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) to find one package hidden inside containing about 15.82 pounds of cocaine.

The estimated street values of these narcotics are around $1,221,005 and $211,350 respectively.

Following these discoveries, CBP seized both vehicles along with the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested both drivers and began criminal investigations.

For updates on this and other stories follow CBP’s Laredo Field Office on social media platforms like X (@DFOLaredo), Instagram (@dfolaredo), or @CBPSouthTexas for more news and photos.

CBP is recognized as America's frontline law enforcement organization managing border security across land, air, and sea with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting national interests through lawful travel facilitation and trade operations while ensuring economic prosperity.