Texas: Border Patrol Stops Drug Smuggling Attempt, Seizes 32 Packages of Alleged Cocaine Worth $690,000

Texas Border Patrol scores another victory against drug smuggling groups after confiscating over $600,000 worth of cocaine on Sunday.

According to CNN, the hard drugs were seized by Border Patrol officers and the Office of Field Operations (OFO). The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a media release that there were reportedly 32 packages containing nearly 90 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The confiscation of the illegal drugs took place on July 13 at the World Trade Bridge, according to KWTX.

Texas Drug Smuggling Stopped by Border Patrol

Reports claimed that the authorities encountered a 2003 Freightliner tractor at the World Trade Bridge. The tractor manifested that it carried a shipment of air conditioner parts from Mexico.

Despite that, authorities still searched using canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, resulting in the discovery of the alleged cocaine in the vehicle.

The authorities discovered at least 89.68 pounds of alleged cocaine inside the trailer truck. The said narcotics have an estimated street value of around $691,560.

"Attempts to smuggle contraband through commercial supply chains are increasing," Director Alberto Flores of Laredo Port of Entry said in the release.

Flores added that their dedication to "maintaining a robust a border security operation" led them to discover the hard drugs within the trailer from Mexico last week.

The CBP seized the alleged cocaine and the trailer from Mexico. However, details on what action was made against the driver of the said trailer were unclear.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents are investigating the seizure.

Drug Smuggling in Texas and Other States

The discovery of the trailer from Mexico, which contained cocaine, came as the Lone Star State heightened its border security to stop smuggling attempts from other countries.

Early this month, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's office said the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard continued to collaborate to stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and even migrants in the state.

Abbott also previously noted that the Texas DPS would also be in charge of inspection of semi-trucks at checkpoints. However, drug smuggling did not only plague the state of Texas alone. It is also evident in other areas, such as California.

Two weeks ago, authorities seized at least 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine from attempted smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border.

Law enforcement discovered the said narcotics inside a box truck that tried to cross the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California.

Authorities arrested four men in connection to the discovery of the methamphetamine. All of them were from Tijuana, Mexico.

They were reportedly facing charges of conspiracy to distribute the highly addictive drug with the possibility of life imprisonment and a fine worth $10 million.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

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