CBP seizures net $1.3M in drugs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $1.3 million in drugs and arrested three on the day before Thanksgiving, officials said.
The first seizure took place Wednesday at Gateway International Bridge when a CBP officer referred for secondary inspection a 2000 Taurus driven by 23-year-old Edwin Manuel Victoria from Zitacuaro, Michoacan, said an agency press release.
Quizno, a narcotics detecting canine, directed officers to the floor of the car where authorities found 47 packages of marijuana hidden in a man-made compartment and also in a compartment in the gas tank, CBP said. The package had an approximate weight of 93 pounds, officials said.
On Friday morning, Victoria went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan who ordered he be held without bond pending a detention hearing later this week. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Also on Wednesday, at B&M International Bridge, a CBP officer referred a 2000 Ford Expedition driven by 28-year-old Christian Janet Gurrola, of Carrolton, to secondary inspection, records show.
Gulliver, a narcotics detection canine, led officers to hidden compartments throughout the truck where officers found 93 pounds of marijuana, CBP said.
After an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Gurrola was turned over to Cameron County Sheriff’s Deputies who charged her with possession of marijuana, records show.
As of Monday afternoon, Gurrola remained imprisoned on a $25,000 bond.
The third seizure took place the same day at B&M International Bridge when a CBP officer referred for secondary inspection a late model Chevrolet Equinox driven by 33-year-old Norma Cavazos, officials said.
Gulliver once again led officers to 14 packages of narcotics hidden throughout the vehicle. The packages contained approximately 35 pounds of cocaine.
On Friday morning, Cavazos went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan who ordered she be held without bond pending a detention hearing later this week. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
The total seizures amounted to approximately 35 pounds of cocaine and nearly 186 pounds of marijuana with a total street value of 1.3 million, CBP said.
