HIDALGO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges seized alleged cocaine valued at approximately $2,272,000 during routine inspections of passenger vehicles in two separate enforcement actions.
“This was another busy weekend for our CBP officers working to keep these dangerous drugs from entering our country. I commend our CBP officers for these seizures and arrests,” said Efrain Solis, Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
On October 25, 2013 at Pharr International Bridge a CBP officer encountered two women in a blue 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The driver, identified as an 18-year-old from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico and her 48-year-old mother, both citizens of Mexico, were selected for a secondary inspection. During the secondary examination, CBP officers discovered 13 hidden packages concealed within the Malibu. CBP officers removed the 13 package containing a total of 14.68 kilograms (32.4 pounds) of alleged cocaine. The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,036,800
In a second case this weekend on October 26, 2013 at Anzalduas International Bridge, a CBP officer encountered a man and two women in a silver 2013 Suzuki Swift. In this case the driver is identified as a male 23-year-old citizen of Mexico from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico; his two female passengers are identified as 20 and 23-year-old Mexican citizens from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The vehicle and its three occupants were selected for a secondary inspection. During the secondary examination, CBP officers discovered 22 hidden packages concealed within the Suzuki. CBP officers removed the 22 package containing a total of 17.49 kilograms (38.6 pounds) of alleged cocaine. The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,235,200
CBP officers arrested the man and four women and turned them over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
