HIDALGO, Texas—
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge prevented 24 pounds of alleged cocaine from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and arrested a Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico man in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt.
     “Our frontline officers detected and intercepted this compact but significant seizure of hard narcotics and stopped the load from entering into our communities,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Our officers’ outstanding commitment towards combatting these illicit efforts is demonstrated every time they put on their uniform.”
     The seizure occurred on Oct. 6, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP officer referred a tan 2005 Ford Escape driven by a 20-year-old male Mexican citizen for further inspection. While inspecting the vehicle in secondary and with the use of a canine enforcement team, officers discovered 10 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the Escape.
     CBP OFO seized the vehicle along with the nearly 24 pounds of narcotics which have an estimated street value of $182,000 and arrested the Reynosa resident, subsequently releasing him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.