PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges arrested two persons in connection with two failed drug smuggling attempts of alleged methamphetamine and heroin in two separate, unrelated incidents this weekend. The estimated combined street value of these seizures is $696,000.
Bundles containing 19.8 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
“Our frontline officers’ resiliency and dedication to help keep dangerous drugs from crossing our international borders was once again demonstrated this weekend with the interception of these two loads of hard narcotics,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
On Oct. 3, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a white Ford 500 driven by a 21-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. After referring the traveler for a secondary examination, and with the use of a canine enforcement team, officers discovered 14 packages of alleged methamphetamine and two packages of alleged heroin hidden within the sedan. CBP OFO seized the vehicle and the narcotics which are valued at approximately $397,000 for the 19.8 pounds of methamphetamine and $127,000 for the 4.7 pounds of heroin.
On Oct. 4, CBP officers referred a gray 2008 Ford Sport Trac SUV for a secondary inspection and with the use of all available tools and resources, including a vehicle non-intrusive imaging system, officers discovered four packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the SUV. CBP seized the $172,000 worth of narcotics which weighed approximately 8.6 pounds and seized the vehicle as well.
CBP OFO arrested both travelers who were ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.