HIDALGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted two men attempting to smuggle $1,600,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine and marijuana in separate, unrelated incidents.
“Good Friday was good in more ways than one this year as our CBP officers detected two outstanding seizures of illicit narcotics that were being illegally introduced at one of our international bridges,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Packages containing 212 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of EntryThe first seizure occurred on March 25, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP officer referred a brown 2000 Chevy Cheyenne pickup truck for further inspection. While inspecting the pickup driven by a 21-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas in secondary, officers discovered 44 packages of alleged marijuana hidden within the truck’s bed. CBP OFO seized the nearly 212 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $42,000 and seized the Chevy truck as well.
The second interception occurred the same day at the same border crossing. This was the result of a secondary inspection of a white 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by a 45-year-old man from Juarez, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Officers discovered almost 77 pounds of alleged liquid methamphetamine hidden within the vehicle. CBP OFO seized the narcotics valued at $1,558,000 and also seized the Ford pickup.
CBP OFO utilized a canine team and non-intrusive imaging technology to assist in both seizures which resulted in the arrest of both men who were ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
