U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Nearly $1.2 Million in Cocaine at Pharr Port of Entry

Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr Port of Entry on Saturday seized cocaine valued at approximately $1,164,800 during a routine vehicle inspection of a passenger vehicle. 

On July 7, 2012 at the Pharr International Bridge a CBP officer came in contact with a 2001 Ford Focus driven by a woman identified as a 20-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A primary inspection of the Ford by CBP officers resulted in the vehicle and its sole occupant being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. During the secondary examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies within the vehicle. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination and discovered 15 packages containing a total of 16.50 kilograms (36.4 pounds) of alleged cocaine hidden in the Ford Focus. The cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,164,800.

CBP officers turned the driver over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicle.

“Thanks to the hard work by our CBP officers these dangerous drugs will not meet their destination in the United States. I applaud our officers for an outstanding seizure and arrest,” said Efrain Solis, Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

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