CBP arrests Weslaco woman after heroin found in batteries

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November 04, 2009 1:17 PM

The Monitor

PROGRESO — Customs officers arrested a Weslaco woman after they found nearly $1.8 million worth of heroin hidden inside a pickup truck's batteries.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection made the seizure Monday at the Progreso International Bridge, according to an agency statement. The 22 pounds of Mexican brown heroin was hidden inside two truck batteries inside a 2008 Dodge 2500 pickup truck.

"Akela," a narcotic detection dog, alerted officers to the heroin's odor during a secondary inspection of the northbound truck.

X-ray images revealed anomalies inside the batteries. Officers opened them up and found 12 packages of heroin inside.

Officers arrested Amanda Lee Gonzalez, 21, of Weslaco, on federal drug charges. She remains in federal custody pending an appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to investigate the crime.

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