HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry seized $2,293,000 worth of narcotics, arrested 37 persons wanted on arrest warrants and assessed $2,550 in penalties for agriculture violations during January 2015.
“I commend our frontline officers for their continued vigilance and extraordinary commitment towards the CBP mission, in all aspects of our processes,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Whether it is intercepting prohibited agriculture items or detecting narcotics and outstanding fugitives, these are our daily duties at CBP Field Operations.”
During January 2015, officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry accomplished 12 interceptions of narcotics for a combined total street value of approximately $2,293,000. This included 25 pounds of heroin valued at $1,004,000, 165 pounds of cocaine valued at $1,278,000 and 56 pounds of marijuana which carry an estimated street value of $11,000. There were 37 persons arrested for having outstanding warrants or for immigration violations. The arrest warrants ranged from murder suspects, larceny, sexual assault, DWI, prior narcotics violations, probation violation, failure to appear and missing persons. The immigration violations included presenting fake documents and false claims to United States citizenship.
Agriculture specialists in the passenger environment assessed $2,550 in penalties for agriculture violations and also seized items prohibited under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law, such as coral, starfish and exotic-skin boots. CBP officers recovered four stolen vehicles and seized $29,840 in unreported currency during this time as well.
CBP’s Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.