Authorities said both the drugs and the bus were seized.
HIDALGO, Texas — What looked like a routine bus crossing at the Hidalgo Port of Entry turned into a major drug bust last weekend.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they uncovered more than $1 million worth of cocaine hidden inside a passenger bus. The seizure happened on April 11 at the Hidalgo International Bridge, when a commercial bus was flagged for a secondary inspection.
With the help of a K-9 unit and imaging technology, officers took a closer look at the bus and found 36 packages of suspected cocaine stuffed inside the seats. Altogether, the drugs weighed about 78 pounds, with an estimated street value of just over $1.04 million, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“This hard narcotics seizure exemplifies CBP’s steadfast effort to keep our borders secure,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said in a statement. “This poison will not enter our streets thanks to the enforcement focus of our frontline officers.”
Authorities said both the drugs and the bus were seized. Homeland Security Investigations are now investigating the incident.