CBP seizes $595K worth of methamphetamine at Del Rio border crossing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 64.73 pounds of suspected methamphetamine valued at more than $595,000 at the Del Rio Port of Entry in Texas.

The seizure occurred on September 28 at the Del Rio International Bridge, when officers referred a 2018 Ford Transit van for a secondary inspection.

The vehicle was driven by a 59-year-old male lawful permanent resident, according to CBP.

During the inspection, officers used a nonintrusive inspection system before conducting a physical search of the vehicle.

Authorities said they discovered 81 packages containing suspected methamphetamine hidden inside the driver-side quarter panel.

CBP estimated the narcotics’ street value at $595,185.

Port Director Liliana Flores said stopping hard narcotics at ports of entry remains a priority and credited officers’ layered inspection methods for the seizure.

CBP seized the drugs, while Homeland Security Investigations arrested the driver and opened a criminal investigation.

The original CBP release refers once to “cocaine,” but the agency’s headline, photo caption and seizure details identify the substance as methamphetamine, indicating the cocaine reference appears to be a typographical error.