Man caught trying to smuggle ecstasy into El Paso

Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Bridge of the Americas seized two-and-a-half pounds of Ecstasy strapped to the body of a man entering the U.S. from Mexico.

“The vigilance (of the officers) and attention to detail resulted in this seizure,” said Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director.

The seizure was made just after 4 p.m. Wednesday when a 21-year-old U.S. citizen male arrived at the port of entry.

A drug-sniffing dog alerted to the pedestrian as he waited in the line to be inspected, officials said.

CBP officers queried the subject’s entry documents and received notification he was wanted on an active warrant.

CBP officers then noted a bulge in the upper groin area of the border crosser.

Officials said an iinspection confirmed the presence of a package concealed under the man’s clothing. The package was removed and found to contain 375 blue tablets which tested positive for Ecstasy, officials added.

CBP officers took the subject, not yet identified by officials, into custody. He was turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to face charges associated with the smuggling attempt.