The relentless nature of drug trafficking confronted the vigilance of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials last week when they recovered more than $1.3 million in cocaine at Texas border crossings.
In two separate operations, cops prevented considerable amounts of narcotics from entering the country via the Hidalgo and Anzalduas International Bridges.
According to a press release from US Customs and Border Protection, the first incident occurred last Friday.
A black GMC SUV was stopped for a routine inspection on the Anzalduas International Bridge.
The vehicle, driven by a single person, aroused the attention of cops, who used non-intrusive inspection equipment and a canine team.
A comprehensive search turned up 14 parcels of suspected cocaine weighing more than 25 pounds.
The vehicle’s framework concealed the narcotics, valued at over $1.3 million on the street. According to US Customs and Border Protection, the driver was seized and turned over to the Hidalgo Police Department, who launched a criminal investigation.
The next day, CBP inspectors stationed at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a silver Dodge SUV traveling from Mexico.
Similar to the previous case, investigators chose the SUV for a thorough inspection, which included the same high-tech scanning and the help of expert narcotic detection dogs.
Their hunt paid off when they discovered and seized 29 packages of purported cocaine.
According to the report from US Customs and Border Protection, the drugs were nicely packed and disguised and weighed roughly 74 pounds.
When the officers discovered the narcotics, they took both the substances and the car. The case was then turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, who launched an additional criminal inquiry. Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, who represents the entry points in Hidalgo, Pharr, and Anzalduas, highlighted the incidents, stating, “Our CBP officers intercepted back-to-back narcotics just one day apart, illustrating the relentless work being done at our international crossings,” according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection report.
