HIDALGO, TEXAS—Officers with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized over $100K worth of methamphetamine and arrested two women on Friday.
The incident occurred on Friday night, January 4, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge when two adult females arrived in a red 2001 Ford Explorer. The driver, a 23-year-old female United States citizen from Harlingen, Texas and the passenger, a 22-year-old female United States citizen from Houston, Texas were referred to secondary for a more thorough examination. During the course of the secondary inspection officers discovered 12 packages weighing approximately 3.43 kilograms (7.74 pounds) of alleged methamphetamine which were concealed within the vehicle's battery. CBP seized the narcotics which have an estimated street value of $113,000 and the vehicle as well.
The two adult female travelers were arrested and released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
"This is another example of how drug trafficking organizations attempt to smuggle their drugs in small quantities and in inconspicuous fashion," said Efrain Solis Jr,. Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr /Anzalduas. "Our officers' keen sense of awareness and outstanding attention to detail has enabled us to detect these hard narcotics and keep them off our streets."