PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge arrested a man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico after detecting $319,000 worth of alleged cocaine within the Dodge Stratus he was driving.
“Once again our frontline officers have discovered a load of narcotics that smugglers allegedly attempted to introduce into our communities,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Our officers’ relentless efforts and extraordinary commitment to our mission has enabled us to detect these drugs and place another subject in judicial proceedings for alleged drug smuggling.”
On Aug. 28, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge came in contact with a 42-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa who was attempting to enter the U.S. An officer referred him and the green 1999 Dodge Stratus he was driving for a secondary examination. After further inspection utilizing all available tools and resources, officers discovered 15 packages of alleged cocaine concealed within the Stratus. CBP OFO removed and seized the narcotics which weighed approximately 41 pounds and seized the vehicle as well.
CBP OFO arrested the man from Reynosa and ultimately released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.