U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry announced on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, two separate incidents of heroin seizure with a combined total of 32 pounds of heroin. The total value of the heroin seized is listed at $1,024,000.
A 22 year old male citizen of the U.S., a resident of North Lake, Ill. approached the Gateway to America bridge from Mexico driving a 2007 Dodge Caliber. After the initial check by the officers the car and driver were referred to the CBO secondary inspection for a thorough check. These officers found 19 packages of heroin weighing 24 pounds hidden in the vehicle. The estimated street value of this heroin was $768,000.
The second seizure also occurred on the same day and the same bridge when a 33-year-old male U.S. citizen from Aurora, Ill. approached driving a 1999 Jeep Cherokee SUV. Again, CBP officers referred the man and the vehicle for an intensive inspection. These officers found 9 packages of heroin within the SUV. The heroin has an estimated street value of $256,000.
CBP officers seized the alleged heroin and both vehicles from both of these cases. The two drivers were arrested by CBP officers and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation. (USCBP press release)
“As CBP officers managed the daunting challenge of processing the high volume of travelers returning to the U.S. from their visits to Mexico for the holiday season, CBP officers maintained their enforcement posture,” said Sidney K. Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo, Texas Port of Entry. “The interception of these two significant narcotics seizures is a testament to their dedication and commitment in fulfilling the CBP mission. (Ibid)
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