68-Year-Old Woman Arrested Allegedly Trying To Smuggle Cocaine
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested a 68-year-old woman for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into the U.S.
CBP officers arrested Concepcion Bertha Montoya of El Paso for allegedly trying to smuggle 38.90 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $1,244,800.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents took custody and booked her into the El Paso County jail to face federal prosecution. She remains in custody and is being held without bond.
“Smuggling organizations will use every imaginable method to get the narcotics through our international ports of entry,” said Bill Molaski, CBP El Paso Port Director. “This seizure compliments the focus and hard work that all our officers put forth each and every day.”
The seizure was made at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) at 4:15 p.m. when a 1993 Dodge Caravan, driven by Montoya, arrived at the port from Mexico.
CBP officers and canine teams were conducting a sweep of vehicles waiting in line at the international crossing when CBP drug sniffing dog “Outlaw” alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers launched an exam and located a non-factory compartment in the firewall area of the car. They drilled into the compartment and removed a white substance that tested positive for cocaine. CBP officers removed a total of 15 cocaine-filled bundles from the compartment.