The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility apprehended two Mexican men after discovering packages of marijuana and cocaine in two separate incidents last week.
“Our officers have once again demonstrated great awareness and diligence with the interception of these two outstanding seizures of narcotics at our cargo facility,” Efrain Solis, Jr., port director at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, said. “Balancing the trade facilitation aspect of cargo processing with an enforcement mindset is a function of CBP field operations that is accomplished on a daily basis.”
The first incident occurred when officials flagged a commercial truck driven by a 26-year-old Mexican man for merchandise inspection. After a short investigation with a canine unit, officers were able to uncover 60 packages of marijuana concealed within the truck. Officers seized the approximately 685 pounds of marijuana as well as the truck.
The second incident occurred a few hours later when a 51-year-old man arrived at the port hauling a commercial shipment of mangos. Officers flagged the vehicle for further inspection, which included a non-intrusive imaging system exam. CBP OFO agents then uncovered 60 packages of cocaine, weighing approximately 151 pounds.
Officers arrested both men and turned them over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing.