Hidalgo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested three women in connection with two failed drug smuggling attempts of methamphetamine and cocaine worth $490,000.

“People who choose to get involved in illicit activities such as drug or human smuggling will face the consequences of their actions,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/ Pharr/ Anzalduas Port of Entry. “We will seek the fullest punishment allowed by law for all violators encountered at our ports of entry.”

The first seizure occurred on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after a CBP officer referred two Mexican citizen women from Reynosa, Mexico, ages 19 and 22, in a silver 2009 Volkswagen Jetta for further inspection. A (canine team) assisted in the inspection, which resulted in the discovery of 15 packages of alleged cocaine that were concealed within the vehicle. CBP OFO seized the drugs weighing 36.20 pounds (16.42 kg) and the vehicle as well. The estimated street value for the narcotics is $279,000.

CBP officers at the same border crossing on Nov. 18 encountered a 23-year-old woman from Houston, Texas driving a white Dodge Grand Caravan arriving from Mexico. After a thorough inspection, which included utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system (NII), officers detected eight packages of alleged methamphetamine and one of cocaine hidden within the minivan.  CBP OFO seized the minivan and the 9.5 pounds (4.30 kg) of methamphetamine and 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) of cocaine, which have a street value of $190,000 and $21,000, respectively.

CBP OFO arrested the three women encountered with narcotics and subsequently turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.