U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than $5.5 million worth of cocaine at a Texas border crossing this week.
The drug seizure took place on January 3 at the Ysleta Port of Entry Cargo Facility in El Paso, Texas.
CBP says that a 56 year old male Mexican citizen driving a box truck arrived from Mexico via the cargo facility.
The box truck was referred for a secondary inspection using a canine team and a non-intrusive inspection (x-ray) exam.
Officers discovered sixty-four bundles containing 172.6 pounds of cocaine concealed within the commodity manifested as plastic rolls.
The truck and the cocaine were seized by CBP.
“This significant seizure is an example of the vigilance and commitment by our CBP officers to the narcotic interdiction mission,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “CBP officer expertise, canines and technology are all important elements in stemming the flow of contraband.”