HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized $379,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine discovered in identical manner in two separate, unrelated incidents.
“The continued diligence by our frontline CBP officers advances our border security mission and helps keep these drugs from entering our country and communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge.
On June 11, an 18-year-old man, a U.S. citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico arrived in a black Ford F-150 pickup at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge and a CBP officer referred him for further inspection. Officers conducting the secondary inspection utilized non-intrusive imaging (NII) equipment as part of the exam and were able to locate two packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the truck’s battery. The packages weighed 11.11 pounds (5.04 kgs) and have a street value of $222,000.
The second interception occurred at the same border crossing later that day when a 21-year-old woman, a U.S. citizen from Edinburg, Texas arrived in a brown 2011 Ford Escape. A secondary inspection resulted in officers discovering four packages of alleged methamphetamine hidden within a spare battery. These narcotics weighed 7.84 pounds (3.56 kgs) and are estimated to be worth $157,000.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the vehicles and arrested both drivers. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took custody of the individuals and continue with the investigations.