U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized more than $890,000 in cocaine concealed inside a vehicle on September 5. Officers discovered the narcotics during an inspection of a Dodge Durango attempting to enter the United States from Mexico.
According to CBP, officers initially encountered the driver due to a routine outstanding warrant alert. The warrant was confirmed as a nonextraditable traffic offense. Further examination of the vehicle included use of nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. Physical inspection led to the discovery of 26 packages containing approximately 66.71 pounds (30.26 kilograms) of alleged cocaine hidden within the vehicle.
Port Director Carlos Rodriguez stated, “Our frontline CBP officers encountered a driver with a routine outstanding warrant and upon closer inspection of the vehicle, they discovered a significant amount of hard narcotics as well,” adding, “Seizures and apprehensions like these perfectly illustrate our continued commitment to CBP’s border security mission.”
CBP's Office of Field Operations seized both the drugs and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations arrested the driver and has started a criminal investigation.
CBP is responsible for enforcing laws related to travel and trade at U.S. borders, employing over 65,000 personnel across land, air, and sea operations.
For updates on this case and other activities from CBP’s Laredo Field Office, information can be found on their social media channels including X (@DFOLaredo), Instagram (@dfolaredo), and @CBPSouthTexas.
