Two arrested in Brownsville for smuggling 246 pounds of cocaine

CBP seized 246 pounds of cocaine found hidden in a utility trailer at the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (Courtesy: CBP)

Two people were arrested Sunday after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered a total of 100 bundles of cocaine hidden within the floorboards of a utility trailer that was hauled through the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville, according to a criminal complaint.

Elias Perez Salas and Adrian Castellanos Salas were both charged with possessing with the intent to distribute about 246 pounds of cocaine.

On Sunday, Perez was driving a white Ford Super Duty pickup truck hauling a utility vehicle while Castellanos was riding as a passenger when they entered the U.S. from Mexico, according to the document.

Officers further searched the utility trailer revealing a total of 100 bundles concealed within the floorboards.

“The bundles contained a white powdery substance which field tested positive for the properties of cocaine and had an approximate total weight of (246 pounds),” the complaint said.

The two made inconsistent and contradicting statements regarding where they traveled and their knowledge of the trailer, authorities said.

They also admitted to deleting messages from their mobile phones between them and the people involved with the trailer.

The following day, Homeland Security Investigations special agents interviewed the two men. Perez admitted to knowingly transporting contraband in exchange for monetary gain. Castellanos also admitted to receiving monetary compensation from Perez for each trip.

“After the conclusion of the interview, Castellanos freely uttered that his mother had warned him and Perez not to be working with those subjects involved with the utility trailer as she feared they could be killed,” the complaint said.

In a Tuesday news release, CBP said the cocaine had an estimated street value of approximately $3,336,864.

The two are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III in Brownsville federal court on Friday morning for their preliminary examination.

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