U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry made a 12.4 pound cocaine seizureMonday. The drugs have an approximate street value of $396,800.
“This interdiction removes a sizeable amount of cocaine from the streets of our communities and the reach of our youth,” said Acting CBP El Paso Port Director Francis Brown. “This noteworthy seizure highlights CBP’s determination to serve the American people.”
The seizure was made at the Paso Del Norte international crossing at approximately 8:14 p.m. when a 2000 Kia Sephia arrived at the port from Mexico. A CBP officer at the primary inspection station selected the vehicle for a secondary exam. CBP drug sniffing dog “Dora” searched the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs. CBP officers scanned the vehicle with the Z-Portal x-ray system which revealed areas of concern in the backseat. CBP officers continued their exam and located five cocaine-filled bundles in the rear seat.
CBP officers arrested 21-year-old Petra Lizette Reyes of El Paso, Texas. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
In addition to the cocaine seizure, CBP officers at the El Paso Port of Entry recorded eight marijuana seizures with an approximate weight of 664.29 pounds during this past weekend.
Information from CBP