PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge scored twice this weekend with $410,000 worth of cocaine intercepted in separate, unrelated incidents.
“Our frontline officers detected and intercepted these compact but significant seizures of hard narcotics and stopped them from entering into our communities,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Our officers’ outstanding commitment towards combating these illicit efforts is demonstrated every time they put on their uniform.”
cocaine seized by CBP officers at Pharr
International Bridge.
On March 8, CBP officers working at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge referred a 25-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a maroon 2012 Chevy S10 pickup for further inspection. A secondary inspection resulted in the discovery on nine packages weighing 23.5 pounds (10.66 kg) of alleged cocaine concealed within the pickup. The estimated street value of the cocaine is $181,500.
Two days later at the same border crossing, CBP officers referred a gray 2014 Mercedes A180 driven by a 26-year-old male Mexican citizen for secondary inspection. Officers conducting the examination discovered 12 packages of alleged cocaine which weighed 29.6 pounds (13.42 kg) hidden within the sedan. The street value on this seizure is $228,500.
CBP officers utilized the assistance of (canine teams) and non-intrusive imaging technology on both interceptions. (NII).
CBP OFO arrested both Mexican citizens and then turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents for further investigation.