U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Bridge of the Americas international border crossing in El Paso, Texas intercepted a combined 411 pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana on two separate failed smuggling attempts, hours apart on September 30, 2023.
Officers encountered a 42-year-old male Mexican citizen in a truck traveling with his spouse and children who was driving from Mexico to the U.S.
Officers selected the vehicle for a secondary search.
Further inspection resulted in the discovery of 310.2 pounds of methamphetamine concealed beneath the bed liner of the pick-up truck. The case was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation El Paso Field Office’s Violent Crime and Gang Task Force.
A few hours later, customs officers encountered a 24-year-old male Mexican citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes.
Upon primary inspection, officers located several plastic bags which contained bundles in the vehicle’s trunk.
The inspection followed by a canine and non-intrusive exam. The bundles contained 100.8 pounds of marijuana. The case was turned over to the Department of Public Safety.
