World Trade Bridge CBP officers seize over $5.1 million in marijuana

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge seized marijuana that totaled over $5,100,000 in street value over the weekend.

“Frontline officers at the World Trade Bridge demonstrated exceptional effort in successfully disrupting this drug smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “This large drug bust is a prime example of the efficient targeting strategies utilized in the cargo environment to help combat the flow of narcotics seeping into our communities.”

The seizure occurred on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the World Trade Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 38-year-old Mexican citizen driving a 2009 International tractor, hauling a commercial shipment for secondary inspection. The driver was accompanied by 33-year-old Mexican citizen. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered 98 packages containing a total of 2,323.67 pounds of alleged marijuana within the trailer.

The narcotics had a street value of $5,198,328.

CBP seized the narcotics and both the tractor and trailer. Both subjects were arrested, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents are investigating the seizure.