CBP Seizes Cash And 208 Pounds Of Cocaine From Commercial Bus, Arrests Driver And 6 Passengers

U.S. customs and Border Protection on Wednesday announced the seizure of more than $2.7 million worth of cocaine from a passenger bus seeking entry to the U.S. at the Texas border this week.

CBP Office of Field Operations officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a commercial passenger bus making entry from Mexico on Feb. 24. The bus was selected for examination using nonintrusive inspection equipment and canines.

Further physical inspection revealed 80 packages of alleged cocaine concealed within the bus, weighing a total of 208.16 pounds. The cocaine carries an estimated street value of $2,700,300.

CBP officers also seized $22,051 in currency from the bus driver and passengers. The cash was deemed to be alleged proceeds of criminal activity.

“Our CBP officers continue the tireless work of intercepting large amounts of narcotics to safeguard our border,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, said in a statement.

CBP seized the bus and the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations arrested the driver and six passengers and launched a criminal investigation.