PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges seized $828,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana in three separate, unrelated incidents over a three-day period.

“Whether narcotics are hidden in passenger vehicles or in commercial trucks, our CBP officers’ vigilance is always present and ready to detect those involved in illicit activities amongst the multitude of legitimate travelers,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

Packages containing 64 pounds of cocaine

seized by CBP officers at Anzalduas

International Bridge.

The first interception occurred on Nov. 24, 2019 at the Anzalduas International Bridge after a CBP officer referred a 42-year-old woman from San Pedro, Nuevo Leon, Mexico driving a red Chevy Aveo for further inspection. With the assistance of a (canine team), officers discovered 25 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 64 pounds (29 kg) hidden within the car. These drugs are valued at $493,000.

The second incident occurred later that day, at the same border crossing after CBP officers discovered 10 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within a black Pontiac G6 occupied by a 43-year-old man and his 29-year-old wife, both from Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas. Utilizing non-intrusive imaging equipment (NII), allowed the officers to discover the 25 pounds (11.32 kg) of cocaine valued at $193,000.

The last seizure occurred on Nov. 26 at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility. A CBP officer referred a 28-year-old man from Reynosa, Mexico driving a commercial truck hauling a backhoe (heavy equipment) for further inspection. A thorough examination utilizing all available tools and resources resulted in the discovery of 345 packages of alleged marijuana concealed within the structure of the machinery. The value of the narcotics is $142,000 for the 706.5 pounds (320.5 kg) of marijuana.

CBP officers seized all the narcotics, the vehicles and arrested the four persons involved in the failed drug smuggling attempts. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents continue with the investigations.

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