HIDALGO, Texas — The Customs and Border control (CBP) seized over $560 thousand in cocaine at the Rio Grande Valley International Bridges, officials said. The cocaine was discovered in two separate incidents, one at the Hidalgo and the other at the Anzalduas International bridges.
“Once again, our frontline officers have demonstrated their commitment towards the CBP mission of keeping dangerous drugs from crossing our international borders,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “By working as a team and utilizing all available tools and resources, our officers accomplished these outstanding interceptions of hard narcotics.”
Both incidents occurred on Saturday, June 9, 2016, when in both cases Mexican citizens attempted to smuggle the illicit drugs into the United States.
The first incident was at the Hidalgo International Bridge when suspicions sent a 2008 Dodge Caliber was sent through secondary inspection. The 18-year-old female Mexican citizen from Reynosa was found to possess 15 packages containing nearly 35 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were found using a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine team. The estimated street value according to the CBP nearly $270 thousand.
The second incident was at the Anzalduas International Bridge, where the vehicle, a 2011 white Nissan Altima was also sent for secondary inspection. This vehicle was driven by a 46-year-old Mexican citizen from San Nicolas, Nuevo Leon. The non-Intrusive imaging system and canine team were also used in this incident. During the search 15 packages containing nearly 38 pounds of cocaine, with the street value, according to the CPB of over $290 thousand.
The narcotics and vehicles were seized and both drivers were arrested and were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
