El Paso Area CBP Officers Seize 73 Pounds of Hard Narcotics

EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry seized fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine over the last week.

On July 25, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 14.77 pounds of cocaine from a 36-year-old female Mexican citizen. A CBP canine alert and a non-intrusive inspection led CBP officers to the discovery of cocaine filled bundles concealed within the vehicle.

On July 26, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 16.97 pounds of methamphetamine from a 32-year-old male U.S. citizen. The discovery was made after a CBP canine alerted to a dolly leading CBP officers to locate methamphetamine filled bundles. Later, CBP officers intercepted 0.48 pounds of fentanyl from a 32-year-old male U.S. citizen. The discovery was made after a pat down search was conducted leading CBP officers to discover two bags filled with pills.

On July 27, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted 0.24 pounds of fentanyl from a 21-year-old female U.S. citizen. The woman arrived via pedestrian bridge and was referred for a secondary inspection. Following a CBP canine alert, the woman admitted to carrying narcotics in her vaginal cavity.

On July 28, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing intercepted 1.06 pounds of methamphetamine from a female U.S. citizen. The discovery was made after a pat down search was conducted revealing packages in the groin area. Later, CBP officers working at the Ysleta border crossing intercepted a mixed load of 9.83 pounds of fentanyl and 12.87 pounds of cocaine from a 19-year-old male U.S. citizen. The discovery was made following a non-intrusive inspection and intensive search of the vehicle. A few minutes later, CBP officers encountered a 22-year-old female attempting to smuggle 6.08 pounds of cocaine concealed within her vehicle.

On July 30, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte border crossing intercepted 11.28 pounds of methamphetamine from a 24-year-old female U.S. citizen. The seizure occurred following a CBP canine alert and non-intrusive search of the vehicle.  

“CBP officers are dedicated to protecting our borders and stopping the flow of dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities,” said Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. “These seizures are examples of the vigilance and commitment by our CBP officers to the border security mission.”

The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations or local authorities for prosecution.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.