NTEU members were among the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers from the Area Port of Philadelphia who recently seized the largest local cocaine load in 10 years. They discovered 709 pounds of cocaine concealed in furniture shipped from Puerto Rico, making it CBP’s sixth largest cocaine seizure.
An investigation is currently pending.
NTEU Chapter 110 (CBP Philadelphia), led by Chapter President and CBP Officer Bill Brown, represents 271 CBP employees at the Port of Philadelphia.
The cocaine was found when agency Officers detected an anomaly in one of the shipping containers and transported it to an examination station. After a thorough inspection, the Officers discovered compartments in several pieces of furniture concealing 256 bricks of cocaine. The street value: about $22 million.
“This story highlights the important work that skilled and vigilant CBP employees perform every day to keep our nation safe,” said National President Tony Reardon, who has advocated strongly for adequate CBP staffing at ports of entry. “Seizing illegal drugs is just one of the many critical responsibilities of a CBP Officer. They are at airports, seaports and land border crossings arresting criminals trying to enter the country, confiscating illegal weapons, intercepting fraudulent documents, detaining terrorists and ensuring goods enter our country legally.”
On a typical day, CBP seizes 7,910 pounds of illicit drugs, according to the agency.
NTEU supports legislation, sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), that would initiate a much-needed hiring surge at CBP. Learn more