CBP Officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge Seize Brown Heroin Found In Laptop Computer Bags

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge seized approximately 4.7 pounds of alleged brown heroin Monday afternoon. The estimated street value of the heroin is $380,954.

On Feb. 28, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound taxicab passenger. The sole traveler was identified as a 42-year-old male U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas. A CBP officer referred the traveler and taxicab to secondary for further inspection. While in secondary, five laptop bags in the trunk of the taxi were inspected by officers resulting in the discovery and seizure of 11 packages of alleged brown heroin hidden within the laptop bags.

CBP officers transferred the traveler to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “The discovery of brown heroin in laptop bags is quite unique and shows the determination of CBP officers at the Hidalgo port of entry to keep our border safe by seizing these hard narcotics.” Mancha further said, “I commend our frontline officers for a job well done.”

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.