U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Marcelino Serna port of entry in Tornillo, Texas, seized 28.5 pounds of cocaine on May 9. The drugs were discovered in a vehicle driven by a 25-year-old female U.S. citizen.
"This is a significant amount of cocaine that did not reach its intended destination," stated CBP Marcelino Serna Port Director Eric Fernandez. "Every drug load that CBP stops plays a role in keeping our communities and neighbors safe."
The seizure occurred around 1:30 p.m. when a 2013 Nissan Titan with one occupant arrived from Mexico. Officers selected the vehicle for further examination.
A CBP drug-sniffing dog detected narcotics in the vehicle, prompting officers to continue their search. They found 14 foil-wrapped bundles hidden in the wheel well and dashboard, which tested positive for cocaine.
The driver was arrested and handed over to the Texas Department of Public Safety to face state charges related to the smuggling attempt.
CBP describes itself as America's frontline and is recognized as the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The agency's workforce of over 65,000 personnel works to protect America across various domains while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
