U.S Customs and Border Protection seize $443,000 worth of cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr and Hidalgo International Bridges seized $443,000 worth of cocaine in three separate, unrelated incidents and arrested four people in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempts.



“These interceptions of hard narcotics are a great indication that drug smuggling organizations are making a concerted effort to introduce their merchandise across the border,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. ”CBP continues to counter those efforts through vigilance and perseverance.”

The first seizure occurred at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge on Nov. 8 after a CBP officer referred a grey 2013 Volkswagen Jetta with two occupants, a 28-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both Mexican citizens, for further inspection. With the assistance of a (canine team), CBP officers discovered 10 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle. The estimated street value is $184,500 for the 23.90 pounds (10.84 kg).

The second interception occurred on Nov. 10 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility. Utilizing all available tools and resources, including non-intrusive imaging technology (NII), CBP officers discovered six packages of alleged cocaine weighing 15.61 pounds (7.08 kg) within a commercial tractor/trailer driven by a 29-year-old man from Mexico. These narcotics have a street value of $120,500.

CBP OFO accomplished the last seizure at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on Nov. 11 after referring a 20-year-old man from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico driving a white Chevy Cobalt for a secondary inspection. During the course of the examination, officers discovered seven packages of alleged cocaine hidden with the Cobalt. CBP OFO seized the 17.95 pounds (8.14 kg) valued at $138,000.

CBP OFO seized all the vehicles and arrested the four persons associated with the drug-smuggling attempts, subsequently turning them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.