CBP Officers at Pharr, Hidalgo Bridges Seize $1.2 Million in Crystal Meth, Cocaine

Hidalgo, Texas and Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr and Hidalgo International Bridges seized approximately 52.9 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in two separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The combined estimated street value of the seized drugs is $1,240,969.

On Feb. 22, a CBP officer working primary inspection duties at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1998 Lincoln Town Car sedan and its driver, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen from McAllen, Texas. After the initial primary inspection, the driver and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary, officers seized 25 packages of alleged crystal methamphetamine that were discovered within the vehicle. In this seizure, the methamphetamine weighed approximately 26.7 pounds and was valued at $401,457.

On Feb. 23, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2006 Honda civic sedan. The driver was identified as a 30-year-old U.S. citizen from Pharr, Texas. A CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary, officers seized 11 packages of alleged cocaine that were found hidden within the vehicle. The cocaine weighed approximately 26.2 pounds and was valued at $839,511.

CBP officers seized the vehicles and transferred both male drivers to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director for Hidalgo/Pharr said, “Our frontline officers are doing excellent enforcement work and continue using all available resources to intercept and seize contraband such as these two drug loads. I commend our officers for their work in securing our nation’s borders.”

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.