EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso ports of entry intercepted a combined total of 291 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana in the span of one week, according to CBP.
CBP says on Tuesday, Jan. 16, officers seized a mixed load of 18.56 pounds of powdered fentanyl and 63.8 pounds of methamphetamine at the Ysleta port of entry.
The narcotics were discovered following a canine alert during a primary inspection of a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old man, U.S. citizen.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, officers seized 29.18 pounds of cocaine at the Paso Del Norte border crossing.
The narcotics were found following a canine alert and non-intrusive inspection of a vehicle driven by 38-year-old woman, Mexican citizen.
On Saturday, Jan. 20, officers intercepted 23.36 pounds of cocaine at the Marcelino Serna port of entry in Tornillo, Texas.
The discovery was made when CBP officers identified anomalies within a propane tank located in the trunk of a vehicle, driven by a 28-year-old Mexican citizen.
Nine cocaine-filled bundles were discovered following a canine search and non-intrusive inspection of the propane tank.
Later that same day, officers seized 100.95 pounds of marijuana at the Ysleta port of entry. CBP says 86 marijuana-filled bundles were located within the trunk area of a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old man U.S. citizen.
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, officers seized 55.55 pounds of methamphetamine at the Columbus port of entry in Columbus, New Mexico.
Multiple methamphetamine-filled bundles were located within the gas tank of a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old man Mexican citizen after a canine alert and an inspection.
The subjects arrested by CBP officers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and/or state and local authorities for prosecution.
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