Border Crisis: Officers Seize over $1 Million in Cocaine and Meth at Texas Crossing

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $1,088,000 worth of alleged cocaine and methamphetamine in two separate incidents.

“Our CBP officers are keen on their skills and rely on their experience and all available tools and resources to thwart smuggling attempts at our ports of entries,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

On April 22, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a gold Ford pick-up making entry from Mexico. The vehicle was selected for inspection utilizing non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment. After physically inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered five packages concealed within the vehicle. One packaged contained 2.38 pounds (1.08kg) of alleged cocaine. The other three packages contained 8.68 pounds (3.94kg) of alleged methamphetamine.

On April 24, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a white Mazda SUV making entry from Mexico. The vehicle was selected for inspection utilizing non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and screening by a (canine team). After physically inspecting the vehicle, officers extracted 88 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 67.72 pounds (30.72 kg) concealed within the vehicle.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics and vehicles, and the cases remain under investigation by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).