State and Federal authorities in the Texas border region with Mexico wrapped up October with a series of significant drug busts that dealt a major blow to cartel smuggling operations, resulting in millions of dollars in losses for the criminals involved.
The Texas State Troopers assigned to the border security mission, “Operation Lone Star,” made the largest bust in Webb County (near Laredo).
During a traffic stop on I-35, Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol Officers made a startling discovery. They found a false compartment in the truck bed that was concealing 57 cellophane-wrapped bundles. These bundles contained a staggering 175 pounds of methamphetamine.
The street value of the drugs is estimated to be $5,712,000. The driver of the truck, who is a Mexican citizen, now faces multiple felony charges for this illegal activity.
DRUG SEIZURE: @TxDPS Troopers seized over 175 lbs. of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram pickup along IH-35 in Webb County. While searching the vehicle, a DPS Trooper discovered a false compartment in the bed of the truck containing 57 cellophane wrapped bundles… pic.twitter.com/9dX641jrcR
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) November 2, 2024
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the Camino Real International Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, inspected a tractor-trailer truck crossing from Piedras Negras, Mexico. During the inspection, they discovered 60 packages containing 162 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of $2,167,372.
CBP Officers at Eagle Pass POE uncovered a $2.1M cocaine smuggling attempt within a tractor trailer. “This large cocaine seizure in the cargo environment reflects the reality of the drug threat our officers face every day.” – Eagle Pass Port Director, P. Beattie. 👏 #OFOProud pic.twitter.com/qXrmUufF63
— Director of Field Operations, Donald R. Kusser (@DFOLaredo) November 1, 2024
On the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, further south along the Rio Grande, CBP Officers intercepted a woman from McAllen, Texas as she was arriving from Mexico. During the questioning, a CBP K9 showed interest in the 2015 Nissan she was driving. This led to the discovery of over 45 pounds of cocaine, which was valued at more than $600,000. The woman was attempting to smuggle the drugs into the country for one of the Mexican cartels.
#Brownsville coke takedown: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers seize $608K in cocaine in vehicle at B&M Bridge. Driver arrested. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. Read more here: https://t.co/Wzvr02X1bE pic.twitter.com/0zJzpG6MDo
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) October 31, 2024
In Eagle Pass, CBP Officers made a significant discovery when they found $438,000 worth of cocaine and fentanyl that a 78-year-old individual had attempted to smuggle into the United States from Mexico.
October has been an expensive month for Mexican Cartel drug operations, as State and Federal law enforcement officers along the Texas-Mexico border have continued to make significant drug busts. In September, they seized a staggering $18 million worth of drugs in a single day, and this trend has carried over into October