U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize Over $1.6 Million in Cocaine at Hidalgo Port of Entry

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry intercepted a load of alleged cocaine. CBP officers discovered the alleged narcotics valued at approximately $1,640,944 hidden within a Honda Civic.

CBP officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry intercepted a load of alleged cocaine. CBP officers discovered the alleged narcotics valued at approximately $1,640,944 hidden within a Honda Civic. 

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012 CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a 2006 Honda Civic driven by a woman. The CBP officer’s primary examination resulted in the vehicle and its driver, identified as a 29-year-old Mexico citizen who resides in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. While in CBP secondary, officers discovered 20 packages concealed within the Honda Civic. CBP officers removed the packages from the vehicle with a combined total weight of 23.26 kilograms (51.2795 pounds) of alleged cocaine.

The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,640,944. CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicle and turned the woman over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

 “This is a large load of alleged cocaine. Our CBP officers’ vigilance and hard work has prevented these dangerous narcotics from being introduced into our communities. I applaud our CBP officers on this seizure and arrest of this alleged smuggler,” said Efrain Solis, Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.