Laredo, TX – On November 10, Laredo North agents assigned to the Border Patrol Checkpoint located on Interstate Highway 35 encountered a 2001 Blue Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by a 41- year old from Cuba at the primary inspection lane. As the driver was being questioned as to his citizenship, a service canine alerted to the tractor-trailer and was referred to secondary for further inspection.
At the secondary inspection area, BPA Agents instructed the driver to exit the vehicle in order to perform an x-ray scan of the trailer. At that moment, the driver was non-responsive to the commands given by the agents and they noticed that he was disoriented. The driver was then escorted to a controlled area away from traffic and his feet became unstable and fainted. A Laredo Sector Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) began treating the subject and after a few minutes he regained consciousness and refused further medical treatment.
After treating the subject, an x-ray scan of the trailer was conducted and several anomalies in an aftermarket compartment towards the front were noticed. A physical inspection of the trailer’s false compartment yielded a total of 155 bundles encased in cellophane wrapping that tested positive for marijuana. The contraband weighed 1,936.4 pounds and has a street value of $1,549,120.00 USD.
The narcotics, vehicle and subject were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.