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  4. CBP Field Operations Nets Close to $3 Million in Narcotics at South Texas International Bridges

CBP Field Operations Nets Close to $3 Million in Narcotics at South Texas International Bridges

Release Date
Tue, 04/29/2014

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Hidalgo and Pharr International Bridges seized narcotics valued at $2.84 million and arrested two men from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico in connection with the failed smuggling attempts.

“These two interceptions of hard narcotics are definitely significant and having detected them has prevented more dangerous drugs from crossing our border and possibly causing harm to our youth, who could be lured into the wrong path,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

Packages containing 26.80 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP in Hidalgo

The first incident occurred on the morning of Monday, April 28, at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge after CBP officers came in contact with a blue 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The driver, a 23-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Reynosa, Mexico presented his U.S. passport card and he was referred to secondary for further examination. During the course of the inspection, and with the use of a vehicle non-intrusive imaging system, officers discovered packages of alleged cocaine concealed within the Cobalt. CBP-OFO removed and seized 10 packages weighing approximately 23.8 pounds, which carry an estimated street value of $762,000 and seized the vehicle as well.

The second seizure and arrest occurred later that same morning at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after CBP officers encountered a maroon 2005 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 37-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa. After presenting his Mexican border-crossing card, he and the vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection and it was there that officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the Malibu. CBP officers removed 15 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing approximately 38.14 pounds and 10 packages of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 26.80 pounds. CBP-OFO seized the narcotics, which have an estimated street value of $1.22 million for the methamphetamine, $858,000 for the cocaine and also seized the Malibu.

CBP-OFO arrested both men who were in turn released 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