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  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes Nearly $2.5 Million in Heroin and Marijuana in Three Consecutive Days at the Pharr International Bridge

CBP Field Operations Seizes Nearly $2.5 Million in Heroin and Marijuana in Three Consecutive Days at the Pharr International Bridge

Release Date
Thu, 11/16/2017

PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered alleged heroin and marijuana valued at $2,465,404 within commercial trailers in three separate enforcement actions.

“Thorough inspections performed by our CBP officers lead to the uncovering of smuggling attempts as part of keeping our homeland safe as these recent interceptions clearly illustrate,” said Interim Port Director Donna Sifford, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry “These three consecutive seizures reflect an exceptional job performed by our officers at the Pharr cargo facility.”

Packages containing 54 pounds of heroin seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge.
Packages containing 54 pounds of heroin
seized by CBP officers at Pharr International
Bridge cargo facility.

On Nov. 14, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a white 2014 Kenworth tractor trailer hauling a shipment of tomatoes. After the conveyance was referred for a secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imaging (NII) system along with the help of a canine team to locate the narcotics. CBP officers extracted 90 packages containing 54.23 pounds of alleged heroin which have an estimated street value of $2,169,326.

The second seizure occurred on Nov.13, also at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility. A 1999 Freightliner tractor trailer was referred to secondary for an inspection, CBP officers discovered 72 packages containing 295.42 pounds of alleged marijuana by utilizing available resources like the non-intrusive imaging (NII) system along with a help of a canine team. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $59,083.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a blue 1997 Freightliner tractor trailer hauling a shipment of broccoli. After the conveyance was referred for a secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imagining (NII) system along with the help of a canine team to locate the narcotics. CBP officers extracted 1,372 packages of alleged marijuana comingled within a shipment of broccoli which has an estimated street value of $236,995.

CBP OFO seized the drugs and the cases remain under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.

For more information about CBP, please click on the attached link.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021