Immigration Law

Brownsville CBP Officers Seize $37,000 In Ecstasy Disguised As M&Ms

By Robert Kraft

This announcement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency this week struck me as humorous. I love M&M candies, but now I'm going to have to be a little more careful about popping a handful in my mouth!

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge discovered $37,000 in Ecstasy concealed in M&M candy bags under the clothing; two Mexican citizens were arrested.

On February 17, at 12:58 p.m., CBP officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge referred two male pedestrians for secondary inspection. The first male identified as Armando Padron Nieto, a 21-year-old, a Mexican citizen from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico and the second Jose Alberto Luna Trejo, an 18-year-old Mexican citizen from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. CBP officers’ examination of the male’s clothing and person resulted in the discovery that they each had six M&M candy bags that had been opened and resealed containing Ecstasy pills hidden under their clothing. A total of 1,867 pills of Ecstasy were discovered.

The Ecstasy in these enforcement actions has an estimated street value of over $37,000. The two males were arrested by CBP officers and turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate the seizure. After thorough review of the case, both males were processed by the Cameron County Distinct Attorney’s Office on state drug charges.

“Observational skills by CBP officers greatly contributed in the interception of this sizeable amount of Ecstasy pills. Outstanding work by all involved,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on February 19, 2009 (boomark / email).