EL PASO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say a 74-year-old man was stopped at the U.S. and Mexico border attempting to smuggle cocaine into the United States.
The drug bust happened at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing on Tuesday evening. A 74-year-old U.S. citizen was driving a mini-van from Mexico, according to officers.
An officer reportedly noticed three large plastic containers in the storage compartment of the van. A CBP drug-sniffing dog and x-ray were used to search the van and officers discovered 35 pounds of cocaine in the containers.
“The team performed flawlessly and used all parts of our layered enforcement techniques,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha.
“I commend the primary officer’s instinct, the canine team, and the officers in the secondary area for stopping these drugs from reaching American communities.”
The drugs were seized and the case is under investigation.
