CBP Seizes 117 Pounds of Drugs at El Paso Border Crossings in March’s First Week

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Paso Del Norte and Bridge of the Americas border crossings have seized a total of 117 pounds of illicit drugs within the first five days of March.

“CBP officers are faced with an array of smuggling attempts and concealment methods, yet they remain vigilant in disrupting the flow of dangerous narcotics from entering our country and reaching our communities,” said CBO Port of El Paso Director Ray Provencio.

On March 1, a 38-year-old male Mexican citizen arriving via the vehicle lanes at the Bridge of the Americas border crossing was referred for a secondary inspection. CBP officers, aided by a CBP canine and non-intrusive exam, discovered 18.9 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle.

The same day at the Paso Del Norte border crossing, a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen arriving via the pedestrian lanes was subjected to a secondary inspection. CBP officers found .43 pounds of fentanyl concealed within her vaginal cavity.

Moving to March 4, a 20-year-old female U.S. citizen arriving via the vehicle lanes at the PDN border crossing was found with 95.1 pounds of marijuana concealed in the vehicle’s trunk area.

On March 5, a 23-year-old male U.S. citizen was intercepted with 2.6 pounds of heroin at the PDN border crossing during a post-primary agriculture baggage inspection utilizing the X-ray machine.

All individuals involved were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and/or state and local authorities for prosecution.