HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized $322,000 worth of methamphetamine this weekend in two separate, unrelated incidents.
“The small load concept continues to be predominant at our local international bridges as evidenced by these two interceptions of hard narcotics,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Regardless of the type of illicit activity, our officers’ diligence and perseverance is unwavering.”
methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at
Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.
CBP officers detected the first smuggling attempt on Oct. 27 at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after referring a 19-year-old male United States citizen from Houston, Texas driving a black 2007 Mitsubishi Galant for secondary inspection. While inspecting the vehicle in secondary and with the use of non-intrusive imaging (NII) equipment, officers discovered six packages weighing 13.23 pounds (6 kgs) of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the vehicle. The street value on this seizure is $185,000.
The second interception occurred the following day at the same border crossing when CBP officers referred a 25-year-old female U.S. citizen from Pharr, Texas and the green Chrysler minivan she was driving for further inspection. A (canine team), assisted in the secondary examination which resulted in the discovery of four packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the minivan. CBP OFO seized the 9.79 pounds (4.44 kgs) which carry an estimated value of $137,000.
On Oct. 26, CBP officers also detected a man from Oaxaca, Mexico attempting to enter the United States as a pedestrian utilizing a valid Mexican passport with a fraudulent U.S. visa.
CBP OFO seized all the narcotics, both vehicles and arrested both travelers who were ultimately turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation. The man attempting to enter illegally was detained pending an appearance before a federal U.S. magistrate on charges of alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.