(Texas Scorecard) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine this weekend.
According to Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, officers stopped a 2020 Renault Oroch at the Hidalgo International Bridge for secondary inspection.
A CBP canine unit alerted to the vehicle, prompting further examination with nonintrusive imaging technology. This led officers to discover 30 packages containing a total of 34.90 kilograms (76.94 pounds) of alleged cocaine hidden inside the vehicle.
The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,027,316.
CBP seized both the drugs and the vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has launched a criminal investigation into the attempted smuggling.
Port Director Rodriguez praised the officers’ dedication, stating, “This substantial cocaine seizure reflects the strong dedication of our officers to safeguarding the border, as well as their skillful use of experience and technology.”
This latest bust follows two earlier this month that resulted in CBP officers seizing nearly $2 million worth of cocaine.
The amount of cocaine seized at the southwest border this federal fiscal year has already matched the amount seized last year.