HIDALGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested two persons in connection with two separate failed drug smuggling attempts of alleged cocaine and methamphetamine worth $633,000.
“These loads of hard narcotics have been intercepted by our CBP officers at one of our international bridges due to their outstanding observational techniques. I applaud our officers and congratulate them for their hard work and continued diligence to help keep these drugs from entering our country and community,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Packages containing 28.79 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of EntryOn Oct. 29, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge referred a white 2000 Chevy Malibu driven by a 26-year-old woman from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico for a secondary inspection. During the course of the examination, officers discovered three packages weighing approximately 7.45 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden within the Malibu. The estimated street value of these narcotics is $57,000.
The second seizure occurred at the same border crossing on Oct. 30 after a CBP officer referred a 25-year-old man from Hidalgo, Texas driving a gray 2002 Ford F-150 pickup for further inspection. Subsequent inspection produced the discovery of 19 packages weighing approximately 28.79 pounds of alleged methamphetamine which was concealed within the pickup truck. These narcotics carry an estimated street value of $576,000.
CBP OFO utilized canine enforcement teams and vehicle non-intrusive imaging systems to assist in locating the narcotics. Both vehicles were seized in connection with the enforcement action. CBP officers arrested both drivers and released them to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
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