CBP Seizes $2.5 Million in Cocaine at the Hidalgo International Bridge

HIDALGO, TEXAS—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized $2,400,000 worth of cocaine and arrested two residents from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

On Thursday morning, June 27, 2013 CBP officers working at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge discovered and seized alleged cocaine which was concealed within a white 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup, a 26-year-old male Mexican citizen arrived from Reynosa accompanied by a 25-year-old female Mexican citizen and were referred to secondary for further inspection after presenting their Mexican border-crossing cards. It was during the secondary examination and with the use of a vehicle non-intrusive imaging system that CBP officers discovered the suspected packages, which totaled 30, and weighed approximately 34.08 kilograms (75.13 lbs.). CBP seized the vehicle as well.

CBP arrested the male and female and subsequently released them to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

"This was an outstanding seizure of hard narcotics that our officers intercepted due to the continued resilience and grind to help keep dangerous drugs from crossing our southern border," said Efrain Solis Jr., port director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.