SEATTLE - As U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers continue to seize illicit drugs at ports of entry, smugglers have upped their creativity in recent months in what have ended up bing failed attempts to fool authorities. Just last week, CBP officers at Houston's International Airport seized more than 10 cocaine packages hidden inside a motorized wheelchair. And earlier this year, a massive haul of methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of celery was seized at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility
After a busy Fiscal Year 2024, CBP agents have started the 2025 period with new seizures. The latest one took place in Texas after a truck that tried to enter through the Del Rio International Bridge, in South Texas. Authorities found over 20 pounds of cocaine hidden in the floorboards.
According to information shared by CBP, the incident took place after an officer referred a Ford F-150 pick-up truck for secondary inspection. As officers looked through the vehicle, they discovered eight packages containing a total of over 20 pounds of cocaine hidden in a compartment within the floorboard of the vehicle. The packages had a combined estimated street value of $267,278.
Homeland Security Investigations special agents then arrested the 21-year-old driver, a U.S. citizen, and initiated a criminal investigation.
"This significant narcotic seizure underscores the relentless efforts of our officers to combat the devastating impact of drugs in our community," Del Rio CBP Port Director Liliana Flores said. "These types of seizures send a clear message that we are committed to protecting our communities and our nation's borders."
According to the most recent data published by CBP, the agency had seized almost 500,000 pounds of drugs along the U.S. Southwest border as of August.
Although cocaine seizures remain very common, CBP agents saw much less cocaine in FY2024 than the previous year. In 2023, agents seized more than 81,000 pounds of the drug along ports of entry while in 2024, with September data yet to be released, that number reached just 60,312 pounds.
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