CBP Officers at South Texas Port of Entry Arrest Man Smuggling a Variety of Drugs

Hidalgo, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a man from McAllen, Texas with three different types of alleged narcotics on his person in connection with an alleged smuggling attempt.

On August 16, a 57-year-old male United States citizen from McAllen along with a 6-year-old boy arrived at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge as passengers in a taxicab. The adult male traveler presented a Texas birth certificate along with a state issued identification card for himself and U.S. birth certificate for his minor grandson. A CBP officer referred them to secondary for further inspection and document review.

In secondary officers discovered packages of alleged narcotics strapped to the adult male traveler’s body, including two packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing approximately 3 pounds and one package of alleged heroin weighing approximately 1.28 pounds. Officers also discovered he was in possession of 69.5 grams of cocaine and six tablets of ecstasy. CBP officers seized all of the narcotics, which have an estimated combined street value of approximately $122,000.

The adult male traveler was released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further investigation. The minor boy was released to Child Protective Services as no immediate family members were located.

“This failed attempt to introduce hard narcotics was foiled due to our officers’ keen sense of observational skills and exceptional inspection techniques,” said Efrain Solis Jr., port director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “Smugglers will utilize all kinds of techniques, including using their own bodies in their attempts to conceal the illicit contraband and get it across the border.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.