HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (CBP-OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 26-year-old woman, a United States citizen from Kansas City, Missouri after an alleged attempt to evade federal inspection while allegedly concealing $2.5 million in methamphetamine in her vehicle.
“Our officers are always vigilant and prepared to respond to these type of situations, they are our nation’s front line,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Phar/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “This interception prevented a significant quantity of hard narcotics from entering our country and negatively impacting our nation.”
![Packages containing 129 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo Bridge](/sites/default/files/u412/12202016%20Hidalgo%20Meth%20Seizure%2C%20Courtesy%20CBP%20Hidalgo.jpg)
seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International
Bridge
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge encountered the woman driving a grey 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. The woman arrived at the port via the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lane and failed to stop at the CBP primary inspection booth upon arriving. CBP officers intercepted the woman and escorted the vehicle for inspection.
After a physical inspection of the vehicle, the use of a non-intrusive imaging inspection (NII), and with the assistance of a canine team, officers discovered 24 packages containing a total of 129.19 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle. The narcotics carry an estimated street value of $2,583,791.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics along with the vehicle, arrested the driver, and turned her over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.