Image Credit: CBP Photo by Josh Denmark
In a monumental operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry intercepted an unprecedented six and a half tons of methamphetamine, marking the largest seizure of its kind at any port of entry. Valued at over $117 million, this significant drug bust occurred on February 18, underscoring the relentless efforts of CBP officers in combating narcotics smuggling.
The operation unfolded at the Camino Real International Bridge, where a tractor-trailer, allegedly carrying a drying agent for piglets, was selected for a secondary inspection. Utilizing a combination of canine units and non-intrusive inspection technology, officers unearthed nearly 13,101 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle. The narcotics, with an estimated street value of $117.1 million, represent a significant blow to drug trafficking operations aiming to distribute these harmful substances.
Director of Field Operations for the Laredo Field Office, Donald Kusser, commended the officers’ diligence and expertise, stating, “This gargantuan methamphetamine seizure, the largest ever taken down by CBP officers at a port of entry, uniquely illustrates the serious narcotics threat our officers face on a daily basis and their effectiveness at utilizing our technological enforcement tools, expertise, and experience to zero-in on these threats.” Kusser emphasized the seizure as a testament to the officers’ unwavering commitment to securing the nation’s borders while facilitating lawful trade and travel.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston highlighted the collaborative effort behind the seizure, involving HSI teams from Houston, Eagle Pass, and Mexico City, alongside CBP partners. Dawson addressed the broader impact of drug trafficking, noting, “For far too long, drug trafficking organizations have been raking in billions of dollars at the expense of our communities that are left ravaged by addiction, death, and despair as a result of these poisonous substances.” He lauded the operation’s success in preventing a “record-breaking amount of these narcotics from making it to Houston where they would have destroyed an untold number of lives.”
CBP has seized the narcotics, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents are currently investigating the case further.
Texas Reporter 