U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize $1.1 Million in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at
the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered cocaine valued at
more than $1.1 million hidden within a Ford F-150.

CBP officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge seized 14 packages containing 34.7 pounds of cocaine from a Ford pickup Tuesday.

On Tuesday, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge,
CBP officers encountered a 2002 Ford F-150 Crew Cab being driven by a
48-year-old male citizen of Houston. At primary a CBP officer referred the Ford
for a secondary examination. In secondary CBP officers discovered 14 packages
hidden within the F-150. CBP officers removed the 14 packages containing
approximately 34.7 pounds of cocaine.

The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of
approximately $1,110,400. CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special
agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the
vehicle.

“The seizure of this load of alleged cocaine will keep it from
reaching our communities thanks to the great work by our frontline CBP officers.
I applaud our CBP officers for their vigilance in the detection of these
dangerous drugs and for keeping our country safe,” said Michael Freeman, CBP
port director, Brownsville Port of Entry.

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 the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.