Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $500K Worth of Cocaine at Hidalgo International Bridge

CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $500K Worth of Cocaine at Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date
Tue, 05/22/2018

HIDALGO, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $432,480 worth of cocaine in a commercial bus coming from Mexico this weekend.

Packages containing 56 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge
Packages containing 56 pounds of
cocaine seized by CBP officers at
Hidalgo International Bridge.

“Excellent teamwork from our frontline officers contributed to this excellent seizure of hard narcotics,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “The ability to detect inconsistencies and anomalies with travelers and vehicles is how every smuggling interception is initiated and ultimately how drugs are kept from being introduced into our communities.”

The incident occurred on May 20, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after officers inspected a commercial passenger bus arriving from Mexico. While examining the bus and with the assistance of a CBP officer and his assigned  (canine), officers discovered 21 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 56 pounds hidden within the bus which were seized along with the bus.

CBP OFO arrested a 35-year-old male Mexican national in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt and ultimately released him to the custody of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent 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