$7.6 million in cocaine seized from big rigs in Laredo, bringing four day total to $19 million

Just days after making the “largest cocaine bust in 20 years” in Laredo, officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently seized hundreds of pounds of cocaine from semi trucks crossing the border in Laredo in a single day.

Both of the drug seizures occurred on Tuesday, August 30, at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas. During these two separate enforcement actions, CBP seized cocaine valued at $7.6 million from tractor trailers.

“Within a four-day span, our frontline CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry seized a total of three significant loads of cocaine in the cargo environment; more than $19 million in cocaine in three separate interceptions,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “These seizures perfectly illustrate our officers’ firm resolve to uphold our border security mission and keep our community safe.”

The larger cocaine seizure occurred on Tuesday after a 2009 International tractor hauling a shipment of furniture  was referred for a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination. CBP officers found 285 packages containing nearly 718 pounds of alleged cocaine within the furniture shipment.

The estimated street value of the cocaine is  $5,535,880.

The other cocaine seizure also happened on Tuesday when CBP officers referred a tractor trailer hauling a shipment of steel rolls for a secondary inspection. Using the canine and non-intrusive inspection system, officers discovered 110 packages containing a total of 270 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The estimated street value of the cocaine is $2,084,200.

In both cases, CBP seized the cocaine.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations is investigating both cases.

On August 26 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo, Texas, officers found 1,935 packages containing 1,532.65 pounds of alleged cocaine within a shipment manifested as baby wipes.

The estimated street value of the cocaine in the August 26 incident is $11,818,400.

“Colossal, record setting seizure. Largest Cocaine bust in 20 years! The Laredo Port of Entry seizes over 1,500 pounds of cocaine from Transnational Criminal Organizations! Extremely proud of our @CBP employees for keeping our communities safe,” said Laredo Port of Entry Director of Field Operations Randy Howe.