C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers in Texas Seize Outbound Bulk Cash and Close to 195 Pounds of Marijuana

(Wednesday, March 10, 2010)

Pharr and Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Pharr International Bridge seized $208,400 in U.S. bulk cash and close to 195 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $156,120 at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge.

On March 7, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr International Bridge came in contact with a 2000 Chevy Tahoe that was headed into Mexico. After a brief interview, the male driver, a 67-year-old U.S. citizen from Edinburg, Texas and the vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 25 bulk U.S. cash packages that were found hidden in the Chevy Tahoe.

On March 8, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1989 Chevy pickup truck. After the initial primary inspection, the driver, an 18-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico and vehicle were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized 62 marijuana packages that were found hidden in the truck bed.

In both incidents, CBP officers seized the vehicles, the U.S. bulk cash and the marijuana. Both cases remain under investigation.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director Hidalgo, Pharr and Anzalduas said, “This is an example of the great enforcement teamwork that our CBP officers and Border Patrol agents are doing.â€