CBP Officers Seize Nearly 2,350 Pounds of Marijuana at Pharr Cargo Facility; 133 Pounds of Marijuana at Hidalgo

Hidalgo/Pharr, Texas U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Pharr cargo facility seized close to 2,350 pounds of marijuana and close to 133 pounds of marijuana at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge in two separate and unrelated drug seizures. The estimated combined street value for both seizures is close to $2 million. On May 13 at 5:24 p.m., CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1997 Jeep Cherokee. After primary inspection, the vehicle, driver and one female passenger were referred to secondary inspection for a routine immigration check. While in secondary, the vehicle was referred for a non intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the vehicles tires. Barry, a narcotic detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the Cherokees tires. While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers found all four tires concealing bulk compressed packages of marijuana. The passenger, identified as Claudia Aguilar Roman, a Mexican citizen, age 25 from Elsa, Texas was arrested on federal drug charges. The female driver, identified as a 40-year-old U.S. citizen from Rio Grande City, Texas was not arrested and was released. After her arrest, Aguilar Roman was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Aguilar Roman remains incarcerated. CBP officers seized the marijuana and the Jeep Cherokee. On May 13, 2009 at 7:03 p.m., CBP officers working at the Pharr commercial cargo facility came in contact with a northbound Mexican registered tractor-trailer rig. The male driver, a 61-year-old, Mexican citizen from the State of Tamaulipas declared a commercial shipment of mixed produce. After primary, the driver and tractor-trailer rig were referred to secondary for an intensive examination. In secondary, a CBP agricultural specialist noted discrepancies to the trailers floor. Rocky, a narcotic detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the trailer. A non-intrusive image scan revealed anomalies within the trailers floor. While conducting an intensive examination of the tractor-trailer rig, officers found 270 marijuana packages hidden within the commercial shipment. The driver was not immediately arrested but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. CBP officers seized the marijuana and the tractor-trailer rig.