Recently released photos pictured over $1.5 million worth of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl that was seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
The photos, which were posted on Twitter by CBP's South Texas sector, show large quantities of narcotics. One of the photos shows several brown packages on a scale, while the other shows several different rectangular packages.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: #CBP officers seize $1.5M in methamphetamine, cocaine and Fentanyl in two separate law enforcement actions at #Hidalgo Port of Entry. Both drivers arrested. Read more: https://t.co/ITsMKbzcLm pic.twitter.com/jpqvjM5d91
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) January 11, 2022
In a press release, CBP said that the seizure of the narcotics happened on two separate occasions at the Hidalgo International Bridge.
According to the press release, the first seizure occurred on Tuesday, January 4, when a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado was directed for a secondary inspection at the Hidalgo International Bridge by a CBP officer. The male driving the vehicle was only identified as a 42-year-old U.S. citizen, from San Antonio, Texas.
During the inspection, officers used a dog to search the vehicle, as well as an imaging inspection. As a result of the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered "90 pounds of alleged methamphetamine," the press release said.
The second seizure occurred a few days later on Friday, January 7 at the Hidalgo International Bridge After CBP officers stopped a 2016 Nissan March crossing the border. According to the press release, an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen was driving the vehicle. CBP said that the 18-year-old currently lives in Reynosa, Tamaulipas.
While attempting to cross the border, the vehicle was directed to a secondary examination, where a dog and non-intrusive imaging was used. During the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered "38 pounds of alleged cocaine and 448 grams of alleged fentanyl," according to the press release.
The alleged narcotics seized in the two different incidents have a combined estimated street value of $1,575,995, the press release said.
The alleged narcotics and both of the vehicles were seized by CBP, the press release said.
The 18-year-old male and 42-year-old male were arrested following the discovery of the alleged narcotics. Both of their cases have since been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation and possible charges.
"These significant seizures of hard narcotics not only illustrate the firm commitment of our frontline CBP officers to carry out CBP's border security mission but show how their important work helps to protect our communities from illegal narcotics," Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry Director Carlos Rodriguez said in a press release.
Newsweek reached out to CBP for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
