200 Pounds of Narcotics Seized at Texas Border Bridge

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized more than 200 pounds of drugs during two smuggling attempts occurring on consecutive days at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on August 17 observed a black 2008 Lincoln MKX approaching for entry to the U.S. The officers referred the driver, a 24-year-old Mexican national, to a secondary inspection station. During the inspection, officers found thee large paint buckets being transported by the driver into the U.S.

Further inspection revealed the buckets actually contained a substance believed to be liquid methamphetamine, according to a statement obtained from CBP officials in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. Officers seized the five-gallon bucket which allegedly contained 132.85 pounds of liquid methamphetamine. The drugs have an estimated value of $2,657,000, officials reported.

The next day, officers assigned to the same bridge observed a 1989 Chevy Suburban approaching for inspection and entry into the United States. The officers referred the driver, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen from Arkansas, to the secondary inspection area. During the inspection, a K-9 team alerted to the possible presence of drugs. The search uncovered drugs hidden inside pieces of a children’s play set, officials stated.

The officers seized 56.65 pounds of methamphetamine and 20.54 pounds of heroin. Officials report the value of these drugs to be $1,134,000 and $822,000 respectively.

In total, the officers reportedly seized nearly 190 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 20 pounds of heroin with a combined street value estimated at $4,610,000.

Officers place both suspects into custody and seized the drugs and the vehicles. Homeland Security Investigations will take over the investigation. Both men could face federal charges related to smuggling dangerous drugs into the U.S.