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  4. Not so Sweet: CBP Field Operations Officers Intercept Cocaine-laden Cake at Hidalgo International Bridge

Not so Sweet: CBP Field Operations Officers Intercept Cocaine-laden Cake at Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date
Tue, 08/13/2019

HIDALGO, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge uncovered  more than filling when they discovered $35,000 worth of cocaine hidden inside a cake.

“This interception of narcotics certainly ranks high on the list of creativity,” said Port Director Sylvia Briones, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “I commend our officers for the excellent teamwork and their successful interception of narcotics.”

Packages containing 4.54 pounds of cocaine hidden within a cake seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge
Packages containing 4.54 pounds of cocaine
hidden within a cake were seized by CBP
officers at Hidalgo International Bridge.

CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on August 11 encountered a 22-year-old female United States citizen arriving from Mexico in a taxicab.  A CBP officer referred the Reynosa resident along with the other occupants in the taxi for further inspection.  

It was during the secondary examination, which included non-intrusive imaging (NII) technology, when officers discovered two packages of alleged cocaine hidden inside a cake the woman was bringing from Mexico.  CBP OFO seized the 4.54 pounds (2.06 kg) of cocaine.

CBP OFO arrested the woman who was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents 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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021