CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize $1.9 Million in Cocaine

December 08, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge seized approximately 60 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of close to $1.9 million last Friday afternoon.

On December 4, CBP officers and K-9 units working enforcement operations at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1992 Chevrolet pick-up truck. The driver was identified as Luis Carlos Luna Romo, a Mexican citizen, age 18 from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. While in secondary, “Laika”, a narcotic detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the truck.

A non-intrusive image scan revealed anomalies within the truck’s interior rear cab wall. While conducting an intensive examination of the pickup truck, officers removed 25 cocaine packages that were found hidden within the truck. After his arrest, Luna Romo was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Luna Romo remains incarcerated.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our K-9 units and officers for their work in seizing this drug load.” Mancha further said, “K-9 Laika was instrumental in alerting officers to the presence of drug odors. Great work by all involved.”