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  4. CBP Field Operations at Hidalgo International Bridge Prevents over $4 Million in Hard Narcotics from Crossing the Border

CBP Field Operations at Hidalgo International Bridge Prevents over $4 Million in Hard Narcotics from Crossing the Border

Release Date
Mon, 05/03/2021

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge were busy on Friday with the interception of two separate, unrelated loads of hard narcotics with a combined street value of $4,166,000.

“Our officers’ continued resolve and dedication to the CBP mission of border security resulted in the discovery of these two loads of hard narcotics which will no longer make their way into our communities and have possible tragic effects,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

Packages containing 109 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge
Packages containing 109 pounds of 
methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo
International Bridge.

On April 30, 2021, a CBP officer at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a 72-year-old man from San Benito, Texas arriving from Mexico driving a Ford Explorer SUV. A secondary examination including the assistance of a (canine team),  resulted in officers discovering that the SUV’s tires contained hidden packages of suspected narcotics. Officers removed 24 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 109 pounds (49.56 kg) valued at $2,185,000.

Later that day, at the same border crossing, a CBP officer referred a 20-year-old man, a United States citizen from Edinburg, Texas driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck for further examination. Officers conducting the secondary inspection discovered various packages containing suspected narcotics hidden within the vehicle. Officers removed 21 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 46 pounds (21.08 kg), six packages of alleged heroin weighing 24.42 pounds (11.08 kg) and five packages of alleged cocaine weighing 9.65 pounds (4.38 kg). The value of these narcotics are $929,500, $977,000 and $74,500, respectively.

CBP OFO seized all the narcotics, the vehicles and arrested both men involved in the failed smuggling attempts. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took them into custody while they continue with the investigations.

Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on Twitter at @DFOLaredo, on Instagram at @dfolaredo and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

 

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 securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: May 22, 2023