CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas, Brownsville Ports Seize $1.1 Million in Cocaine
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Sep 3, 2012, 0 Comments
Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
PHARR AND BROWNSVILLE , TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas and Brownsville Ports of Entry on Tuesday seized alleged cocaine valued at $1.1 million in two separate, unrelated enforcement actions.
The larger of the two seizures occurred on Aug. 28, 2012 during a routine examination at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge . A CBP officer referred a 2005 Ford Mustang driven by a 48-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa , Tamaulipas , Mexico for a secondary examination. After conducting an intensive inspection, CBP officers discovered 10 bundles containing a total of 25 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden under the seat. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $804,384.
The other seizure also occurred on Aug. 28, 2012 during an examination at the Gateway International Bridge . A CBP officer referred a 1992 Honda Accord driven by a 21-year-old male Mexican citizen from Matamoros , Tamaulipas , Mexico for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted a closer examination and discovered four bundles containing a total of nearly 11 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle. The cocaine has an estimated street value of nearly $350,000.
CBP officers turned the drivers in both cases over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles.
“These two hard narcotics seizures at two different ports in South Texas underscore the pervasiveness of the drug threat our officers face on a daily basis and the resolve and determination of officers to root out this poison to help keep our borders safe and secure,” said Eugenio Garza Jr., Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office.
