U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Ysleta international crossing in El Paso intercepted approximately one-third of a pound of methamphetamine on March 30. The drugs were found concealed on a 26-year-old male U.S. citizen.
"The keen observational skills of a CBP officer resulted in this seizure being made," said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnie Gomez. "Body carriers are a challenge however our mix of officer expertise, canine support, and tools and technology all assist us in identifying and stopping these types of smuggling attempts."
The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. when the man crossed on foot from Mexico. A CBP officer decided to conduct a secondary examination after a brief interview. A CBP canine alerted officers to the presence of narcotics, prompting a partial pat-down that unveiled two packages hidden between the individual's buttocks. Tests confirmed the packages contained methamphetamine, weighing a total of 0.32 pounds.
CBP officers apprehended the man, who was then handed over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for prosecution under 21 U.S. Code § 952, which relates to the importation of controlled substances.
CBP describes itself as the nation's "frontline," tasked with protecting the U.S. on land, sea, and in the air. The agency, with over 65,000 personnel, focuses on facilitating lawful trade and travel while maintaining national security.
###
