PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility seized 2,119 pounds of marijuana that was concealed within a commercial shipment of charcoal.
“Our frontline officers working at the commercial facility in Pharr accomplished this excellent discovery of marijuana due to their diligence and perseverance. Thanks to their effective use of all available tools and resources, these narcotics will not cross the border,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
The seizure occurred on May 16 after CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a commercial shipment of charcoal arriving from Mexico. CBP officers referred the conveyance for a non-intrusive imaging system inspection (NII) and subsequently referred it for further secondary inspection. With the assistance of narcotics detection dog (canine team), officers discovered 484 packages of alleged marijuana with an estimated street value of $423,725.
CBP OFO seized the drugs and the case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.