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  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes Undeclared Currency and $2.4 Million in Narcotics at Mid Valley International Bridges

CBP Field Operations Seizes Undeclared Currency and $2.4 Million in Narcotics at Mid Valley International Bridges

Release Date
Wed, 02/19/2020

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo and Anzalduas International Bridges seized $2,400,000 in alleged methamphetamine and cocaine along with $36,600 in undeclared U.S. currency in four separate, unrelated incidents.

“Our officers at CBP Field Operations are tasked with the enforcement of numerous laws and regulations and keeping dangerous drugs from entering our country is at the top of the list,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

Buckets containing 119 pounds of liquid methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Anzalduas International Bridge.
Buckets containing 119 pounds of liquid
methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at
Anzalduas International Bridge.

The string of interceptions began on Feb. 7, 2020 after a CBP officer at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge referred a compact vehicle driven by a 45-year-old man from General Bravo, Nuevo Leon for further inspection. The secondary examination resulted in the discovery of eight packages weighing 17.63 pounds (8 kg) of alleged cocaine hidden within the car which are valued at $136,000.

On Feb.10, CBP officers working at the Anzalduas International Bridge arrested a 37-year-old man from Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico after discovering he was carrying $36,600 in U.S. currency which he failed to properly declare.

On Feb. 12, a 39-year-old woman from Reynosa, Tamaulipas arrived at the Hidalgo International Bridge in a silver 2011 Ford Escape SUV and was referred for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducting the inspection utilized a (canine team), to assist and ultimately officers discovered 12 packages of alleged cocaine concealed within the SUV. These narcotics weighing 33 pounds (14.94 kg) have a street value of $254,000.

Lastly, on Feb. 14, a man and woman, both 25 years old from Fresno, Calif., arrived at the Anzalduas International Bridge in a silver 2003 Ford Expedition SUV and after a thorough secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the SUV’s gas tank. The six packages extracted resulted being alleged liquid methamphetamine weighing 119 pounds (54.02 kg) with a street value of $2,010,000.

CBP OFO seized all the narcotics, the currency, the vehicles utilized and arrested all the travelers involved in the failed smuggling attempts. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) continue with these investigation.

For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.

It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021