WASHINGTON: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs over the week, including 25 pounds of cocaine at the Presidio port of entry, officials said. Officers working at El Paso-area ports of entry seized about 378 pounds of marijuana, more than 27 total pounds of cocaine, including the 25 pounds seized in Presidio, and seven pounds of methamphetamine over the weekend, customs officials said. One of the largest busts occurred at about 3 a.m. Saturday at the Presidio port of entry, officials said. A 42-year-old woman, who is a Mexican citizen, attempted to drive a 2017 Kia Sportage across the Presidio international crossing when officers selected her vehicle for secondary inspection, officials said. The vehicle was scanned with an X-ray machine, which allegedly showed anomalies behind the engine compartment, officials said. Officers drilled in the area of the anomalies and found a white powdery substance, which tested positive for cocaine, officials said.
Officers found about 13 bundles of cocaine in the compartment, officials said. The woman was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers. “This seizure reminds us all that a smuggler can be young or old, man or woman, traveling alone or with a family or be driving an old or new vehicle,” CBP Presidio Port Director Michael Neipert said in a statement.
