PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge arrested a Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico man after discovering $408,000 worth of alleged cocaine and heroin within the Chevy Trailblazer he was driving.
“This failed attempt to introduce hard narcotics was foiled due to our officers’ keen application of observational skills and exceptional inspection techniques,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Smugglers will utilize all kinds of techniques in their attempts to get their merchandise across the border and it is up to us at CBP to thwart those efforts.”
Packages containing 40 pounds of cocaine, 2.47 pounds of heroin seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
The incident occurred on Sept. 25, at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP officer referred a black 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 28-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa for a secondary examination. During the process of inspecting the vehicle and with the use of all available tools and resources, including a canine enforcement team, officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the Trailblazer. CBP officers removed and seized 16 packages of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 40 pounds and one package of alleged heroin weighing 2.47 pounds. The estimated street value is $309,000 for the cocaine and $99,000 for the heroin.
CBP OFO seized the vehicle, arrested the man involved and ultimately released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.