Hidalgo, Texas. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized approximately 161 pounds of marijuana Sunday afternoon. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $129,030.
On March 13, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck and its driver, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas. A CBP officer working primary inspection duties referred the male driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized compressed bulk amounts of alleged marijuana that were found hidden within the vehicle's four tires. CBP officers also seized the pickup truck.
The male driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.
Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, "Officer experience and skill played a major role in referring and seizing this significant amount of marijuana that was found hidden within the vehicle's four tires." Mancha further said, "Our frontline officers continue working hard to prevent these types of contraband from entering our country and the communities in which we live."