SANTA TERESA, NM – Within a three-day period from late July to early August, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Santa Teresa port of entry seized hundreds of pounds of narcotics between two separate busts, with the combined street value of the drugs estimated at being over $1.5 million.
Officials stated the first of the two busts occurred on July 31st while CBP officers were working the standard vehicle lanes at the Santa Teresa port of entry. A 36-year-old male arriving from Mexico in an SUV, whose name has yet to be shared by officials, was reportedly referred over to secondary inspection while at the port of entry.
Following a K9 screening and the employment of a non-intrusive inspection via x-ray, CBP officers reportedly uncovered 27 pounds of cocaine and 5.5 pounds of fentanyl hidden throughout the vehicle. Both the narcotics and vehicle were seized by authorities, and the 36-year-old male suspect was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations.
The second seizure at the Santa Teresa port of entry occurred on August 2nd while CBP officers were working the commercial cargo lot. An individual coming from Mexico who was operating a tractor trailer was reportedly referred over to secondary inspection, where a non-intrusive inspection was conducted.
Upon examination of the tractor trailer, CBP officers observed irregularities amid the trailer’s roof panels, leading to the discovery of 602 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the aforesaid panels. Officials noted no arrests have been made as of yet, nor was the driver of the vehicle publicly identified. The case is still under investigation, according to authorities.
Acting CBP El Paso Director Field Operations Ray Provencio issued the following statement regarding the two recent seizures at the New Mexico port of entry:
“Our CBP officers remain focused on the narcotic interdiction mission while also facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics at our ports of entry is a significant part of our enduring mission priorities.”
CBP Santa Teresa Port Director Michael Salvatti also chimed in on the recent busts, emphasizing that CBP officers at the respective port will not become complacent simply because the port of entry isn’t to the scale of larger ones like El Paso.
“CBP officers at the Santa Teresa port of entry will exact the same level of scrutiny to all arriving traffic as exercised at a larger port like El Paso. The Santa Teresa port is an important part of the overall effort to keep our communities drug free.”
Gregory Hoyt is a former contributor to outlets such as Law Enforcement Today and Red Voice Media, and current host of The Breakdown with Greg Hoyt. Based out of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Hoyt is a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, while also harboring the unique experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.