BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently intercepted a significant amount of cocaine valued at nearly half a million dollars, hidden inside a tractor at the Veterans International Bridge cargo facility.
The seizure took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, when officers conducted a secondary inspection of a 1987 Kenworth tractor after a non-intrusive imaging scan detected irregularities. During this detailed inspection, aided by a canine unit, officers uncovered 16 packages concealed within the vehicle, totaling 36.64 pounds of suspected cocaine.
The street value of the narcotics is estimated to be $489,226. Tater Ortiz, the port director for the Brownsville Port of Entry, emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing such drugs from making their way into communities. “Our officers’ efforts led to this significant drug seizure, keeping it from reaching our streets,” Ortiz stated.
Following the seizure, CBP officers confiscated both the narcotics and the tractor. A criminal investigation has been initiated by Homeland Security Investigations to further explore the incident. Since January 21, 2025, the Laredo Field Office has reported the confiscation of over 63,000 pounds of various narcotics.
