Border Bust: Massive Drug Seizure at Texas-Mexico Crossing

Enough cocaine to buy 65 acres of land in Texas was recently confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a port of entry in Brownsville, TX.

CBP officers intercepted and pulled over a 1996 Volvo crossing the Veterans International Bridge, carrying interesting cargo.

The driver, a 46-year-old Mexican citizen was attempting to enter the U.S. with the nearly 23 pounds of cocaine hidden in his car.

Officers were able to conduct a routine inspection on the vehicle, but after something didn't smell right to them, they referred to a secondary inspection.

It was through this additional surveillance that a canine unit was able to sniff out the addictive drug.

Stashed away in the small car was 10 packages of neatly-stored cocaine. Along with the drugs, they also found a handgun and additional rounds of ammunition.

The estimated value of the seized cocaine? $302,602.

Recent Notable Drug Busts in Texas

• Recently, in April of 2024, DPS seized an estimated $2 million worth of cocaine during a traffic stop in Hidalgo County
  • Highway patrol stopped a semi truck for a common traffic violation, what they soon found hidden inside was 90 bundles of wrapped cocaine, 3 AR-15 rifles and 1 AK-47

• In February of 2024, the largest drug confiscation ever at a port of entry was conducted, resulting in a $117.1 million bust
  •  13,101 pounds of methamphetamine was found by the canine unit at Eagle Pass, producing this whopper of a payout

• Also earlier this year, a man was arrested for smuggling over two tons worth of chemicals that are commonly used in fentanyl production
  • The driver, now facing life in prison, traveled around the country distributing and procuring chemicals before heading to Mexico where fentanyl production is believed to have taken place