U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations officers intercepted a shipment of suspected cocaine valued at more than $618,000 hidden inside a vehicle attempting to cross the Hidalgo International Bridge on the Texas-Tamaulipas border.
The drug shipment attempting to enter the United States from Mexico was intercepted on May 14 as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure border security, according to CBP.
The incident occurred when a 2013 Nissan Rogue was selected for further inspection. CBP officers used non-intrusive inspection equipment and a specialized canine team, which led to the detection of 21 packages of suspected cocaine hidden inside the vehicle. U.S. authorities indicated that the total weight of the seized drugs was 21.02 kilograms (46.34 pounds), with an estimated street value of $618,744, equivalent to 12,043,000 Mexican pesos, according to the current exchange rate.
Carlos Rodríguez, director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, praised the officers’ work under adverse conditions: “Our frontline CBP officers maintained strict surveillance, even amid this week’s sweltering heat, and seized a significant shipment of cocaine.” He added that this type of operation reflects the agency’s commitment to its border security mission.
Following the discovery, CBP seized both the narcotics and the vehicle involved. The goods and the driver were subsequently turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which assumed the corresponding criminal investigation. This procedure is part of the standard protocol for drug trafficking cases detected at border points of entry, authorities indicated.
The Hidalgo International Bridge, located on the US-Mexico border, is a key point for trade and transit between the two countries, but it also represents an area of high surveillance due to recurring attempts to smuggle drugs and people. Operations like this seek to deter illicit activities and strengthen security in the region, CBP stated.
“This seizure adds to CBP’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking on the southern border of the United States. The agency uses advanced technology, specialized equipment, and trained personnel to detect and prevent the entry of illegal substances into the country,” the agency stated in a statement.
Source: infobae
