U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso intercepted a significant quantity of cocaine on April 17. The seizure involved 94.5 pounds of cocaine hidden within a vehicle driven by a 29-year-old Mexican woman.
"The attention to detail demonstrated by a single CBP officer resulted in this seizure," commented Ray Provencio, CBP El Paso Port Director. He emphasized that "the efforts of the CBP workforce" prevented a large quantity of cocaine from reaching its intended target, calling it "a win for us all."
The incident initiated shortly after 10 a.m. when a 2018 Nissan Sentra arrived from Mexico with only the female driver. An observant CBP officer noted unusual aspects in the vehicle's appearance and sent it to a secondary inspection area. Further examination by a nonintrusive x-ray scan revealed irregularities within the car's floor. Additionally, a CBP drug-sniffing dog detected the presence of narcotics.
Upon detailed inspection, officers located 36 bundles concealed in a floor compartment, which subsequently tested positive for cocaine. Consequently, the woman was detained and transferred to the El Paso County Sheriff's office to face charges related to this unsuccessful smuggling attempt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, America's largest law enforcement organization, ensures the nation's security by facilitating safe and lawful travel and trade. Comprising over 65,000 members, CBP operates on land, air, and sea, enhancing security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.
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