CBP Officers at the Pharr Bridge Arrest a Houston Man With Over $400,000 in Black Tar Heroin

Pharr, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized over $400,000 worth of black tar heroin yesterday and arrested a Houston, Texas man.

On May 24, 2012 a 19-year-old United States citizen from Houston arrived at the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge driving a black 2004 Nissan Maxima. The lone occupant presented a Texas issued driver’s license and a U.S. birth certificate to the CBP officer and was referred to secondary for a more thorough examination. In secondary, officers discovered six packages weighing approximately 3.52 kilograms (7.76 pounds) of alleged black tar heroin which were concealed within the vehicle’s battery. CBP seized the heroin which has an estimated street value of approximately $435,000 and the vehicle.

The traveler was released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.

On May 22, 2012 CBP officers at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge arrested three individuals allegedly attempting to enter the United States utilizing valid documents belonging to other people. The three imposters attempted to enter the U.S. through the pedestrian lanes. Officers arrested a 39-year-old female and a 28-year-old female from Guatemala and a 27-year-old female from El Salvador, all utilizing legal Mexican border crossing cards.

The three female travelers were incarcerated pending appearance before a U.S. Federal Magistrate on criminal charges for violation of U.S. immigration law.

“Once again our officers’ astute awareness and excellent commitment to our mission have yielded positive results,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “This deeply concealed load of black tar heroin and the imposters attempting illegal entry were intercepted and kept from crossing our border.”

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.