Shocking Texas Border Busts: Sexual Assault and $50M in Meth Seized

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently arrested a man wanted for sexual assault of a child after stopping a combined $50,000,000 in methamphetamine from crossing into the country just days prior.

Child Sex Crimes Along Texas Border

CBP officers apprehended a U.S. citizen on September 6 after sending the pedestrian to secondary inspection. 20-year-old Jaime Maldonado was then tested via biometric verification where an outstanding felony warrant was discovered under his name.

The warrant was for sexual assault of a child and was issued out of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.

Maldonado's outstanding warrant was found thanks to the National Crime Information center (NCIC) which serves as an online database accessible across the country. The NIC allows law enforcement to submit biometric ID of certain suspects and learn their criminal history along with any warrants they currently have.

$50 Million in Meth Stopped from Entering the Country

The wanted felon for sex crimes against a child was apprehended just days after CBP seized nearly $50M in meth across two separate incidents.

On August 29 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge cargo facility, a transport truck was sent to secondary inspection after raising red flags. Once explored, border agents found multiple packages consisting of 4,421 pounds of alleged methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $37,913,462.

The illegal narcotics were discovered hidden in a large transport truck carrying aluminum trimmings. Thanks to the sharp noses of the CBP's canine team, the drugs were able to be sniffed out.

The second seizure of meth occurred shortly after on September 2. This was when officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility stopped a truck transporting a shipment of broccoli from Mexico into the U.S.

Upon further investigation, CBP officers discovered 488 tightly wrapped packages of what they believed were illegal narcotics. After the substances were tested, it was confirmed to be 1,480 pounds of methamphetamine.

The estimated street value of this haul was $13,233,900.