U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Paso del Norte border crossing in El Paso, Texas, seized nearly 70 pounds of methamphetamine on August 13. The discovery was made after a CBP canine alerted officers to a 2008 Ford Expedition with Mexican license plates.
Officers conducted a nonintrusive inspection using the Z-Portal system, which revealed anomalies in the vehicle’s gas tank area. Further examination led to the recovery of 60 bundles of methamphetamine concealed inside the gas tank.
“Thanks to the training and diligence of our CBP officers and a canine partner, these dangerous narcotics will not be hitting the streets of America,” said Acting El Paso Port Director Tony Hall. “I want to commend my El Paso team for this significant narcotics seizure and a job well done.”
The driver, identified as a 25-year-old female from Mexico, was detained. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the ongoing investigation into the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has accepted it for prosecution, charging the driver under 21 U.S. Code § 952 for importation of controlled substances.
CBP data shows that through July in Fiscal Year 2024, officers at the El Paso Field Office have seized a total of 3,919 pounds of narcotics. Additional details about drug seizures can be found on CBP’s Drug Seizure Statistics page: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics
U.S. Customs and Border Protection describes itself as America’s largest law enforcement organization and emphasizes its role in protecting borders on land, air, and sea while supporting lawful travel and trade.
