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  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes $217K in Cocaine at Hidalgo International Bridge

CBP Field Operations Seizes $217K in Cocaine at Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date
Fri, 08/14/2015

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge detected over $200,000 worth of alleged cocaine and arrested a 20-year-old man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt.

“I commend our frontline officers for their astute awareness and outstanding ability to detect inconsistencies with arriving travelers,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Being able to distinguish between the norm and what appears out of place, is how our officers are able to discover smuggling activity.”

On Aug. 13, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge referred a grey 2000 Ford Mustang for a secondary inspection. After utilizing a canine unit and a vehicle non-intrusive imaging system, officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the Mustang. CBP OFO removed and seized 11 packages of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 28 pounds, which carried an estimated street value of $217,600.

CBP OFO seized the Ford Mustang and arrested the man from Reynosa, who was ultimately 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