PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered 1,134 pounds of alleged marijuana within a commercial trailer.
“Our officers continue to demonstrate their awareness and diligence in carrying out the CBP mission; this was an outstanding narcotic seizure at our cargo facility. Balancing the trade facilitation aspect of cargo processing with an enforcement mindset is a function of CBP that is accomplished daily,” said Port Director Severiano Solis, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
The seizure occurred on March 24, when CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a white 1999 Freightliner tractor trailer. After the conveyance was referred for a secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imagining (NII) system along with the help of a canine team to locate the narcotics. CBP officers extracted 500 packages containing a total of 1,134 pounds of alleged marijuana concealed within the trailer.
CBP OFO seized the drugs, valued at approximately $226,853. The case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.