Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, working at the Pharr and Hidalgo international bridges, seized 90.2 pounds of cocaine in two separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The combined estimated street value of the two cocaine loads is $2.8 million.
On July 7, Pharr CBP officers came in contact with a northbound 2003 Grand Am sedan and its male driver, a 60-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver for further inspection. Officers seized 27 packages containing cocaine that were found hidden within the Grand Am. The cocaine weighed 65.2 pounds, valued at $2 million.
On July 8, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2005 Dodge Neon sedan and its driver, a 36-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. After the initial primary inspection, the male driver and vehicle were referred for further inspection. Officers seized 10 packages containing cocaine that were found hidden in the vehicle. The cocaine weighed 25 pounds and was valued at $800,000.
CBP officers seized both vehicles and transferred the drivers to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.
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.
Hector A. Mancha, CBP Port Director, Hidalgo-Pharr said, "I commend our frontline officers for remaining vigilant and focused during this challenging week and for their great enforcement work."