Border Officers Seize Over $1.5 Million Worth of Narcotics at Hidalgo Port of Entry

HIDALGO, Texas – Illustrating the worsening border crisis, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted hard narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $1.5 million last week at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

“These significant seizures of hard narcotics not only illustrate the firm commitment of our frontline CBP officers to carry out CBP’s border security mission but show how their important work helps to protect our communities from illegal narcotics,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

The first seizure occurred on Friday, Jan. 7 at the Hidalgo International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2016 Nissan March driven by an 18-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, for a secondary examination. Upon a canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection by CBP officers, a total 38 pounds of alleged cocaine and 448 grams of alleged fentanyl were discovered.

The second seizure occurred on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at the Hidalgo International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 42-year-old male United States citizen who resides in San Antonio, Texas, for a secondary examination. Upon a canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection by CBP officers, a total 90 pounds of alleged methamphetamine was discovered.

The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,575,995 combined.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Both drivers were arrested, and the cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.