U.S. Customs and Border Protection clears area ports of 280 pounds of drugs
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the El Paso area ports of entry, seized more than 65 pounds of cocaine, 128 pounds of methamphetamine, two pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl and 80 pounds of marijuana within the last two weeks.
“Our CBP officers remain vigilant and dedicated to disrupting the flow of dangerous narcotics from entering our country and reaching our communities,” said Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “Every time a CBP Officer stops a drug load it helps protect our communities.”
On Jan. 7, CBP Officers assigned to the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted 45 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle during a secondary inspection. Later that day at the Ysleta border crossing, CBP Officers discovered .24 pounds of fentanyl and three pounds of methamphetamine strapped to the waist area of a traveler.
On Jan. 8, at the Ysleta border crossing, CBP Officers encountered a passenger who attempted to smuggle more than eight pounds of cocaine concealed in the center console of a vehicle.
On Jan. 11, at the Paso Del Norte border crossing, CBP Officers were conducting operations with a drug sniffing canine. The dog alert resulted in the discovery of 3.2 pounds of fentanyl and over 40 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the cargo area of the vehicle. The following day, CBP Officers discovered over 20 pounds of methamphetamine in the doors of a SUV.
On Jan. 13, CBP Officers at the Paso De Norte border crossing intercepted 80 pounds of marijuana hidden in the dash area of a van.
On Jan. 17, at the Ysleta border crossing, CBPO Officers discovered a mixed load of hard narcotics. A search of a vehicle resulted in the discovery of 11 pounds of cocaine, two pounds of fentanyl, and two pounds of Black Tar Heroin.
On Jan. 18, CBP Officers at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing, intercepted 28 pounds of cocaine during a secondary inspection. The following day, CBP Officers intercepted 17 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine was discovered during an intensive inspection of a vehicle.
On Jan 21, CBP Officers at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted 18 pounds of methamphetamine. During a secondary inspection, a drug sniffing K9 alerted to a vehicle and further search resulted in the discovery of bundles in the dash area.
On Jan. 22 at the Paso Del Norte border crossing, CBP Officers encountered a pedestrian who was discovered to be carrying internally, 0.0038 pounds of fentanyl and 0.083 pounds of methamphetamine.
On Jan. 23, CBP Officers assigned to the Columbus border crossing intercepted a passenger who attempted to conceal a semi-automatic pistol along with ammunition. The weapon was discovered during a secondary search of a vehicle.
All subjects were arrested by CBP Officers and turned over to local and federal authorities to face charges.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: U.S. Customs clears area ports of 280 pounds of drugs
