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PHARR, Texas—
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge arrested a 27-year-old man from Pasadena, Texas after discovering $1,189,000 worth of alleged heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine within the Honda Civic he was driving.
“Our CBP officers demonstrated tremendous tenacity with the outstanding interception of these hard narcotics,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/ Anzalduas Port of Entry. ”Being able to detect anomalies with travelers and with vehicles is the asset our officers possess which allows for these type of seizures.”
On Nov. 30, CBP officers working at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge encountered a black 2002 Honda Civic driven by a legal resident male Mexican national from Pasadena. After referring the vehicle and driver for further inspection, officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the Honda. Officers removed and seized three packages of alleged heroin weighing seven pounds, four packages of alleged cocaine weighing 9.74 pounds and 26 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing almost 42 pounds. The estimated street value for the narcotics is $280,000, $75,000 and $834,000, respectively.
CBP OFO seized the vehicle and arrested the driver who was ultimately released to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
AUSTIN, Texas—
Texans who sustained damage or losses from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred Oct. 22 through Oct. 31 can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The presidential disaster declaration of Nov. 25 makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in 15 counties: Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson.
Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Applicants will be asked for the following information:
• Social Security number
• Address of the damaged primary residence
• Description of the damage
• Information about insurance coverage
• A current contact telephone number
• An address where they can receive mail
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:
• Temporary housing
• Essential home repairs
• Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
• Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.
Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.
Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross, or received federal disaster assistance as a result of a previous disaster.
For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
WHARTON, Texas (AP) —
Sheriff's officials say they have discovered human remains believed to be those of a 15-year-old girl missing for 25 years, after receiving a tip from the family of a man considered a suspect in her death.
Wharton County authorities said during a news conference Wednesday that the tip led them to property owned by the suspect's family about 70 miles southwest of Houston, where the remains were found.
Officials believe the remains found Tuesday are those of Rosemary Diaz, who went missing in 1990 from the general store where she worked. A ring was found that Diaz's family believes belonged to her.
Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect who died months ago, but say comments led his family to believe he played a role in Diaz's death.