HIDALGO, Texas—
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo, Pharr and Anzalduas International Bridges seized a combined $885,000 worth of alleged cocaine and methamphetamine in a three-day period.
     “I commend our frontline officers for their hard work and exceptional dedication to the CBP mission in helping keep dangerous drugs out of our communities,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “These interceptions of hard narcotics are indicative of the resiliency displayed by our officers every day, as they conduct daily operations.”
     The first seizure occurred on Oct. 8 after CBP officers assigned to the Anzalduas International Bridge referred a 30-year-old male Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico driving a black 2009 Renault Koleos SUV for a secondary examination. The inspection resulted in the discovery of 10 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle, which were seized along with the SUV.  The estimated street value for the nearly 25 pounds of cocaine is $188,000.
     On Oct. 9, A CBP officer at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered 36-year-old man from Nuevo Leon, Mexico driving a black 2009 Mitsubishi pickup. After referring the truck for a secondary inspection, officers discovered a total of 24 packages weighing approximately 55.5 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the pickup. CBP OFO seized the $428,000 worth of narcotics along with the vehicle.
     The last seizure occurred on Oct. 10 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility. A secondary referral of a commercial tractor/trailer resulted in the discovery of over 13 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden within two fire extinguisher canisters the 24-year-old driver had inside the tractor. CBP OFO seized the commercial tractor along with the $269,000 worth of narcotics.
     In all incidents CBP utilized all available tools and resources including canine enforcement teams and vehicle non-intrusive imaging systems. CBP OFO arrested all three men who were ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.