CBP Officers Seize $1.7 Million in Crystal Methamphetamine and Cocaine

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo and Anzalduas International Bridges seized approximately 59 pounds of hard narcotics in two significant enforcement actions. The combined estimated street value of the seized drugs is $1,710,857.

On Feb. 24, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck and its driver, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen from Houston, Texas. After the initial primary inspection, a CBP officer referred the male driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary, officers seized seven packages of alleged crystal methamphetamine that were discovered within the pickup truck. In this action, the methamphetamine weighed approximately 10.4 pounds and was valued at $157,408. CBP seized the vehicle as well.

On Feb. 26, CBP officers working at the Anzalduas/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound female driving a 2008 Dodge Avenger sedan. The female driver was identified as a 22-year-old Mexican citizen from Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. After the initial primary inspection, the driver and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary, officers seized 20 packages of alleged cocaine that were found hidden within the Dodge Avenger sedan. In this seizure, the cocaine weighed approximately 48.5 pounds and was valued at $1,553,449. CBP officers seized the vehicle.

CBP officers transferred the man and woman to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director for Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas said, “I commend our frontline officers for their work in intercepting and seizing these significant amounts of narcotics. Our frontline officers continue working hard to secure our nation’s border by preventing these types of narcotics from entering our country.”

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.