CBP Officers Seize Over 100 Pounds of Drugs and Arrest 37 Fugitives

EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at El Paso area ports of entry intercepted 47 pounds of methamphetamine, 0.17 pounds of fentanyl, two pounds of cocaine, 53 pounds of marijuana and arrested 37 fugitives within the past two weeks.

“Our CBP Officers are dedicated to securing our borders by preventing the introduction of illegal narcotics into our country and working closely with law enforcement agencies to apprehend fugitives from justice,” said Director Field Operations Hector A. Mancha. 

On March 14, CBP Officers working at the Bridge of the Americas Border Crossing encountered an individual with a warrant for murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm, out of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona.

On March 15, CBP Officers working at the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing intercepted a 19-year-old female U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle 27 pounds of methamphetamine. CBP Officers discovered the narcotics in back seat of the vehicle.

On March 18, CBP Officers working at the Paso Del Norte Border Crossing intercepted a 47-year-old female Mexican citizen attempting to smuggle 53 pounds of marijuana. CBP Officers discovered the narcotics concealed within the tires of the vehicle.

On March 24, CBP Officers working at the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry intercepted a 39-year-old male U.S. citizen, attempting to smuggle two pounds of cocaine. The narcotics were concealed within the seat of the vehicle.

On March 25, CBP Officers working at the Bridge of the Americas Border Crossing intercepted a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle 0.17 pounds of fentanyl pills. A total of 300 pills were discovered concealed in the groin area during a pat down search.

On March 27, CBP Officers working at the Bridge of the Americas Border Crossing encountered a 75-year-old male U.S. citizen wanted for sexual abuse of a child out of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado.

Additionally, 35 other arrests were made for crimes such as credit fraud, alien smuggling, counterfeiting, dangerous drugs, assault, laundering monetary instruments, fraud, and publishing of intimate invasive visual recording. 

In addition to the narcotic seizures and arrests, Agriculture Specialist issued over $6,600 in civil penalties. The penalties were a result of the failure to declare prohibited agriculture products such as apples, oranges, mangos, avocados, pork products, fresh peppers and live plants.