HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo and Pharr International Bridges arrested two men in connection with two separate, unrelated failed narcotics smuggling attempts of alleged marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine.
“Continued vigilance and alertness from our frontline officers in all areas of responsibility has enabled them to intercept these illicit narcotics that were ingenuously concealed,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “A sound enforcement posture allows us to continue detecting illicit contraband and keeping our communities safe.”
Bundles containing 119 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry
The most recent interception occurred on July 22 at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility after CBP officers encountered a 30-year-old male Mexican citizen hauling a commercial shipment of frozen mangos. After referring the conveyance for a non-intrusive imaging system inspection, officers discovered two packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the tractor rig. CBP OFO removed and seized one package of alleged heroin and one package of alleged methamphetamine, which weighed 13 and 11 pounds and have an estimated street value of $300,000 and $154,000, respectively.
The second incident occurred on July 21 at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge. CBP officers referred a black 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 19-year-old male Mexican citizen from La Feria, Texas for a secondary inspection and it was there that officers discovered a total of 23 packages weighing approximately 119 pounds of alleged marijuana concealed within the Trailblazer. Estimated street value is $24,000.
CBP OFO seized the 2015 Kenworth tractor, the Trailblazer, all the narcotics and arrested both men who were ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.