HIDALGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 38-year-old male Mexican national from Cadereyta, Nuevo Leon, Mexico after discovering $393,000 worth of alleged cocaine within the Chrysler minivan he was driving.
“As smugglers continue with their efforts to introduce illegal narcotics into the United States, our frontline officers are resilient and determined to combat those illicit activities and keep those dangerous drugs from entering our country,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Packages containing 51 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. On May 6, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a 38-year-old man from Mexico driving a gold 2008 Chrysler Town & Country van arriving from Mexico. After being referred for further inspection, CBP officers, with the assistance of a Canine Team, discovered 20 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the Town & Country van. The estimated street value for the nearly 51 pounds of cocaine is $393,000.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics the vehicle and arrested the driver, who was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.