LAREDO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Laredo, Texas, thwarted a smuggling attempt Thursday at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge.
According to the agency, a sport utility vehicle was carrying far more than the “informal shipment” of statues arriving from Mexico that its driver declared.
Investigators discovered more than 7 pounds of suspected cocaine, nearly 23 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and nearly 23 pounds of heroin concealed within the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder’s shipment.
The narcotics have an estimated street value of more than $1.1 million, the agency confirmed.
“CBP’s overall mission is to protect American communities from cross-border crime that threatens public safety. Laredo cargo facilities have excelled in enhancing border security by preventing the flow of suspected narcotics from seeping into our communities,” Port Director Alberto Flores, stated.
CBP officials seized both the narcotics and the vehicle and referred the case to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.
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