In a substantial drug bust this past weekend at the Pharr International Bridge, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted over a million dollars worth of cocaine. According to the CBP news release, the seizure took place when a suspicious vehicle was subjected to a secondary inspection.
The vehicle, a 2014 Chevy Captiva, was referred for a closer look by CBP officers. The resulting examination, utilizing cutting-edge technology including CBP canines, revealed 35 packages of alleged cocaine. Weighing in at 82.36 pounds, the narcotics carry an estimated street value of just over one million dollars. The Port Director of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas, Carlos Rodriguez commended the officers, saying, "Our frontline CBP officers continue to exhibit excellence honed by their inspection skills and use of technology which yielded this significant load of cocaine," as per CBP news release.
Following the discovery, CBP seized the narcotics and took possession of the vehicle. A Mexican citizen, 34 years of age, was driving the Captiva at the time of the incident and has since been apprehended. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents are now leading a criminal investigation consequent to the bust. Investigations are continuing, and details on any broader implications of this seizure have yet to be made public.
