Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized 47.6 pounds of cocaine and 7.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in two separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The combined estimated street value of the seized drug is $1.6 million.
On Oct. 30, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2004 Nissan Quest minivan and its driver, a 56-year-old Mexican citizen from Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. After the initial primary inspection, the male traveler and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 20 packages allegedly containing cocaine that were found hidden within the vehicle. The cocaine was valued at $1,525,000. CBP officers seized the Nissan Quest minivan.
On Oct. 31, Hidalgo CBP officers came in contact with a northbound 2003 Dodge Stratus sedan and its driver, a 35-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas. A CBP officer referred the female driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 12 packages allegedly containing crystal methamphetamine that were found hidden within the vehicle. In this seizure, the methamphetamine was valued at $112,434. The Dodge Stratus sedan was seized by CBP.
The male and female travelers were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.
Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, "I commend our frontline officers for their role in securing our nation's borders and for their work in preventing these two drug loads from entering our country."