HIDALGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized a combined $322,000 worth of alleged cocaine and methamphetamine that was discovered within a vehicle driven by a man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
“The small load concept continues to prevail within the seizures accomplished by our frontline officers assigned to the international border crossings,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “This is a good indication that CBP Field Operations is accomplishing its goal of deterring smuggling of narcotics at the ports of entry.”
The seizure occurred on April 17 at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after CBP officers encountered a 27-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a gray 2006 Lincoln Zephyr sedan. While inspecting the vehicle in secondary and with the use of a non-intrusive imaging inspection system, NII officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed 10 packages of alleged cocaine weighing approximately 25 pounds and three packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing approximately six and one-half pounds. CBP OFO seized the narcotics valued at approximately $190,000 for the cocaine, $132,000 for the methamphetamine and seized the vehicle as well.
CBP OFO arrested the male traveler who was subsequently released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
