Del Rio CBP Officers Seize Marijuana Stashed in Van

DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Del Rio arrested a Mexican national Friday after finding more than 30 pounds of marijuana hidden in the vehicle he was driving.

“Our CBP officers are highly trained and equipped with state-of-the-art tools,” said Michael Perez, CBP Port Director, Del Rio. “We are dedicated to keeping illegal drugs from entering the country.”

CBP officers inspected a 1993 Chevrolet G20 van Friday afternoon when it arrived at the Del Rio Port of Entry from Mexico. During inspection, a CBP officer noticed anomalies in the interior of the vehicle. Officers referred the van for an intensive scan by a non-intrusive imaging system, which revealed 30 packages of marijuana, weighing a total of 33.75 pounds worth an estimated $33,750.

The driver, a 19-year-old Ciudad Acuña, Mexico man, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.

The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.