CBP Officers Discover $960K in Cocaine in Commercial Shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered $960,500 worth of alleged cocaine concealed within a commercial shipment of produce arriving from Mexico.

“Our top priority is to keep our country and the people that live in it safe,’ said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas. “Our combination of inspectional skills and technology continues to help CBP officers detect concealed illicit contraband.”

CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge referred a 36-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a tractor/trailer with produce arriving from Mexico for further inspection. Officers then utilized non-intrusive imaging (NII) equipment during a secondary inspection, leading to the discovery of 50 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the trailer and weighing 124.5 pounds (56.5 kg).

CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the tractor/trailer, and arrested the truck driver. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took him into custody as they continue with the investigation.