NEW YORK: US customs and Border Protection officers seized more than a quarter million dollars in cocaine in two drug busts at the Gateway International Bridge.
The first seizure occurred on Friday when officers conducted a secondary inspection of a 2005 Ford Fusion driven by a 25-year-old Matamoros man.
According to a news release, officers found 7.4 pounds of cocaine hidden in the car.
On Sunday officers ordered a 25-year-old Matamoros man to undergo a secondary inspection of his 2000 Ford Ranger. CBP officers say they discovered 10 packages of cocaine weighing 25.3 pounds hidden within the truck.
“Vigilant CBP officers conducting inspections of travelers and their vehicles discovered hidden packages concealed within these two vehicles,” said Port Director Petra Horne, Brownsville Port of Entry.
In all, the combined street value of the cocaine was $252,280.
The drugs and vehicles were seized by CBP and the men were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.