A smuggler tried to enter Texas with $1.4 million worth of cocaine hidden their semi-truck.
A ton of cocaine almost made its way into Texas from Mexico. In fact, Border Patrol officers discovered $1.4 million worth of cocaine hidden in a semi-truck on the Eagle Pass border bridge.
CPB officers find $1.4 million worth of cocaine at Texas border
According to Border Report, United Stations Customs and Border Protection officials seized $1.4 million worth of cocaine in a single enforcement operation.
The incident occurred at an international bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas. A semi-truck was attempting to cross the border. It was making its way into Texas from the Piedras Negras.
However, the trucker was subjected to a secondary inspection after hard-working, drug-sniffing dogs caught the scent of contraband. The 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailer looked normal on the outside, though.
Then images from the non-intrusive inspection system showed irregularities around the gas tank. They physically discovered 42 packages containing 108 lbs of cocaine hidden in the truck. The drugs were hidden in the fuel tank of the tractor-trailer.
Fuel is often used in an attempt to cover smells as smugglers try to get illegal items across the border. The street value of the narcotics is estimated to be worth about $1,445,896.
Eagle Pass Port Director, Pete Beattie, shared that frontline officers maintain vigorous vigilance and that dedication coupled with non-intrusive inspection system technology yielded this significant cocaine seizure.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents have initiated a criminal investigation into the seizure. The truck driver has not been identified and it’s unclear if they are facing any charges.
