HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo and Anzalduas International Bridges seized $1,537,470 in alleged cocaine and methamphetamine that was detected in three separate, unrelated incidents this weekend.
“I commend our frontline officers for their astute awareness and exceptional teamwork while conducting examinations at our international bridges this weekend,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Being able to detect anomalies and inconsistencies in traveler itineraries is how the process of intercepting illicit narcotics is initiated and followed through.”
Packages containing 62 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Anzalduas International Bridge.
The first incident occurred on March 20, at the Anzalduas-Reynosa International Bridge after CBP officers encountered a male Mexican citizen from San Nicolas de Los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The 60-year-old man, driving a gray 2008 Mazda CX-7, presented his Mexican border crossing card and was referred to secondary where officers discovered 24 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle. CBP OFO seized the cocaine, valued at approximately $478,380.
On the same date, but at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge, officers came in contact with a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen from Guntersville, Alabama driving a white 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. After referring him for a secondary examination, officers discovered and seized 30 packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the pickup which carry an estimated street value of $726,636.
The last incident occurred at the same border crossing on March 21 after CBP officers referred a maroon 2002 Chrysler Voyager driven by a 23-year-old male U.S. citizen from Donna, Texas for a secondary inspection. During the examination, officers discovered and seized seven packages of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the minivan, which are valued at approximately $332,454 on the street.
CBP OFO utilized all available tools and resources in all three seizures.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations arrested the three individuals which were subsequently released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation. All vehicles involved in the failed smuggling attempts were also seized.
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.