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Despite losing millions of dollars worth of product on an almost weekly basis, smugglers continue to try to sneak their illegal drugs by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at America’s borders.
The latest significant failure by drug smugglers to bring their product into the country occurred on October 11 at the Pharr cargo lot in Pharr, Texas.
It was there that Customs and Border Protection officers of the Hidalgo Port of Entry seized more than $4 million worth of narcotics in a single bust.
After a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer for secondary inspection, officers discovered 119 packages containing a total of nearly 300 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the vehicle with an estimated street value of $4,003,296.
The the narcotics and tractor-trailer were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, while Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.
“This significant cocaine seizure underscores the reality of the drug threat our officers face every day,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry. “Our frontline officers maintain a forward leaning enforcement posture and this seizure reflects dedication to CBP’s border security mission.”
Multimillion Pharr cocaine takedown: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers seize $4M in cocaine hidden in tractor trailer at Pharr International Bridge. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. Read more: https://t.co/zmgsNwXCmE pic.twitter.com/OAoPuoGD8U
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) October 16, 2024
This was the second major U.S. Customs and Border Protection drug seizure reported in the past two weeks.
Last week, CBP reported that officers working the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in California seized approximately 2,686 pounds of meth hidden in the floor frame of a tractor trailer. The 265 packages of meth the CBP officers seized had an estimated street value of $3.22 million.
Meanwhile, on Oct. 13 over in Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized 51 pounds of alleged cocaine worth more than $681,000 that was attempting to be driven over the International Bridge into the United States by the driver of a 2012 Dodge Journey.
Also, over at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in Texas on Oct. 12, CBP officers discovered a total of 45 pounds of alleged methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $414,765 hidden in the rocker panels of a 2010 Dodge Journey.
.@DFOLaredo @CBP officers seize $414K in methamphetamine at Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Maverick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Read more: https://t.co/n3U7uyE6cJ pic.twitter.com/lwhVtIO40s
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) October 17, 2024