CBP Seizes Heroin Pellets, Marijuana – 3 Arrested

CBP Seizes Heroin Pellets, Marijuana – 3 Arrested

Nation2Nation N2N | Nov 23, 2009 | Comments 0

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Drugs_1123 Hidalgo/Progreso, Texas – / N2N / – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa and Progreso International Bridges seized approximately 117 grams of Mexican brown heroin and close to 71 pounds of marijuana in two separate and unrelated drug seizures. The combined estimated street value of the seized drugs is $82,000.

On November 19, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound traveler. The traveler arrived as a passenger in a Mexican registered cab. The traveler was identified as Gensy Parra Vargas, a U.S. citizen, age 23 from Manhattan, N.Y. A CBP officer referred Parra Vargas to secondary for further inspection.

In secondary, officers discovered that Parra Vargas was concealing 15 heroin pellets inside his socks, totaling nearly 117 grams and valued at close to $21,000. CBP officers arrested Parra Vargas on federal drug charges and later transferred him to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this drug seizure.

On the same date, CBP officers working at the Progreso International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1997 Mercury Cougar sedan. The driver of the sedan was identified as Josue Benito Castellanos Manzanares, a Mexican citizen, age 21 from Ciudad Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A passenger was identified as Luis Gerardo Vasquez Gutierrez, a Mexican citizen, age 23 also from Ciudad Valle Hermoso. At primary, CBP officers noted discrepancies to the vehicle’s four tires.

After the initial primary inspection, the vehicle, driver and passenger were referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, the vehicle was referred for a non-intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the vehicle’s four tires. “Nero”, a narcotic detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the Cougar’s four tires. While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers found all four tires concealing a total of 12 marijuana packages totaling approximately 71 pounds with an estimated street value of close to $61,000. CBP officers arrested Castellanos Manzanares and Vasquez Gutierrez on federal drug charges. After their arrest, both men were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. Both vehicles were seized by CBP officers.

Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, all three men remain incarcerated.

Leticia Moran, CBP director of Field Operations in Laredo, Texas said, “These two drug seizures represent the great enforcement work being done daily by our frontline officers and K-9 units.” Moran further said, “I commend our officers for their work and dedication in securing our nation’s borders.”