October 15, 09

NEWS / CBP Officers Seize Marijuana Valued at $106,000 at Rio Grande City, Hidalgo International Bridges

Hidalgo/Rio Grande City, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa and Rio Grande City International Bridges seized 133 pounds of marijuana in two separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The combined estimated street value of the two drug loads is $106,000.


On October 11, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1997 Chevrolet Lumina sedan. At primary, officers noticed discrepancies to the vehicle’s trunk area. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and male driver to secondary for an intensive examination. While in secondary, the vehicle was further referred for a non-intrusive image scan.

X-ray images revealed anomalies within the Lumina’s backseat area. While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers removed 31 marijuana packages that were found hidden in the backseat. The driver, identified as Marcos Sanchez Martinez, a Mexican citizen, age 25 from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico was arrested on federal drug charges and was later 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, Sanchez Martinez remains incarcerated.


On October 12, CBP officers working at the Rio Grande City International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck. After the initial primary inspection, the Chevy pickup and male driver were referred to secondary for an intensive examination. In secondary, officers noted discrepancies to the truck’s spare tire. Officers referred the truck for a non-intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the spare tire. While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers found the spare tire to conceal close to 41 pounds of bulk compressed marijuana.


The driver, identified as Juan de Dios Plascencia Garcia, a Mexican citizen, age 39 from Mission, Texas was arrested and transferred to the custody of the Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force. Plascencia Garcia is to be processed on state drug charges and remains incarcerated.


Leticia Moran, CBP director of Field Operations, Laredo, Texas said, “This is yet another example of the great enforcement work our frontline officers do daily.” Moran further said, “I commend our officers for preventing this type of contraband from entering our country.”

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10132009_4.xml