PHARR, Texas—
    U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge have once again detected narcotics within a vehicle that attempted to cross the border. This time officers seized $300,000 worth of alleged cocaine and arrested a Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico man in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt.
     “Great awareness and outstanding observational techniques have enabled our CBP officers to detect these hard narcotics and help our country’s efforts to keep dangerous drugs out of our communities,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
    CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge on Oct. 14 encountered a white 2006 Ford 500 sedan driven by a 46-year-old man, who arrived from Reynosa. After referring the Reynosa resident and the vehicle for a secondary inspection, officers and a canine enforcement team discovered 16 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the sedan. CBP OFO seized the 39 pounds of cocaine which carry an estimated street value of $301,000 and seized the Ford sedan as well.
    CBP OFO arrested the man from Mexico and then released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.