see also: in September 2007 News Releases:   CBP Seizes $2.5 Million Worth of Marijuana Inside Cargo Load at Texas Entry   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative Milestone with 58 Operational Ports   CBP Agriculture Team Intercepts Narcotic Plant at Newark Airport   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Collects More Than $2.2 Million in Underpaid Antidumping Duty on Chinese Shrimp   Kiosks for Frequent International Fliers Now Available At Edmonton Airport   Port of Alexandria, Egypt Participates in the CBP Container Security Initiative   Ports of Colon and Manzanillo, Panama Begin Container Security Initiative Operations ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Progreso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Progreso port of entry on Wednesday discovered 57 pounds of cocaine in the tires of a car attempting to enter the U.S. The drugs were valued at $1.8 million and the driver of the car was arrested.

At approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday, CBP officers at the Progreso Bridge referred a 2005 Toyota Camry being driven by Ricardo Diaz, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen from Alamo, Texas for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers detected discrepancies with the vehicle’s tires.

Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, a scan of the vehicle revealed anomalies within all four tires of the car. Upon further examination of the tires and a closer visual inspection, CBP officers discovered packages encased within the four tires of the automobile.

A total of 24 packages containing 57 pounds of cocaine were removed. The cocaine has an estimated value of $1.8 million.

CBP officers arrested the driver on federal drug violations and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who investigated the seizure. The vehicle was seized.

"This seizure is reflective of what a winning combination our officers’ keen intuition and the ability to use our technology tools can be in carrying out our enforcement efforts and stop illegal narcotics from entering our country." said Noel Sanchez, CBP port director, Progreso.

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 the 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.