RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection’ (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers recently seized more than $888,000 in cocaine in a single enforcement action at the Rio Grande City Port of Entry.
“Our frontline officers continue to employ an effective combination of enforcement mindedness, experience and technology and that contributed to this significant cocaine interception,” said Port Director Rogelio Olivares, Rio Grande City Port of Entry. “This seizure illustrates our commitment to advancing our border security mission while facilitating lawful trade and travel.”
The seizure occurred on April 8 at the Rio Grande City International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a tractor hauling an empty trailer for secondary inspection, according to a news release.
CBP officers conducted a secondary examination that included use of CBP canines and subsequently discovered 28 packages containing a total of nearly 67 pounds of alleged cocaine within the conveyance. The narcotics had a street value of $888,967.
CBP turned the narcotics, tractor, trailer and driver over to a state and local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force for further investigation.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
