An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. CBP Field Operations Hinders Two Drug Smuggling Attempts Worth Over $1 Million at the Pharr, Anzalduas International Bridges

CBP Field Operations Hinders Two Drug Smuggling Attempts Worth Over $1 Million at the Pharr, Anzalduas International Bridges

Release Date
Thu, 05/25/2017

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges seized $1,221,280 worth of alleged cocaine in two separate, unrelated incidents.

“Our officers have once again demonstrated great awareness and diligence with the interception of these two outstanding narcotic seizures. I commend our officers for their drive to keep drugs from entering our country,” said Port Director Severiano Solis, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

Packages containing 113 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge
Packages containing 113 pounds of cocaine
seized by CBP officers at Pharr International
Bridge.

On Sunday, May 21, CBP officers assigned to the Anzalduas International Bridge encountered a 36-year-old female Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico driving a white 2007 Jeep Patriot arriving from Mexico. After referring her for further inspection and with the assistance of a canine team, the use of a vehicle non-intrusive imaging inspection system (NII), CBP officers discovered possible narcotics within the vehicle. A total of 18 packages containing a total of 45 pounds of alleged cocaine were removed from the vehicle. The alleged narcotics carry an estimated street value of $347,140.

The second interception occurred on Saturday, May 20 at the Pharr International Bridge. CBP officers encountered a 35-year-old female Mexican citizen driving a white 2008 Dodge Durango along with a 33-year-old man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The vehicle and occupants were referred for further inspection and with the use of a vehicle non-intrusive imaging inspection system (NII), and the assistance of a canine canine team, CBP officers discovered 44 packages containing a total of 113 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The alleged narcotics carry an estimated street value of $874,140.

CBP OFO seized all the narcotics, the vehicle and arrested both drivers and passenger, who were turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021