Austinite caught with millions in drugs

ROMA, Texas (KXAN) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Roma International Bridge seized approximately 22.3 pounds of Mexican brown heroin and 10.3 pounds of cocaine from a car headed northbound, driven by a 53-year-old man from Austin.

The estimated street value of the heroin is $1,781,316, while the cocaine is valued at $331,571, according to CBP.

CBP officers seized nine packages of alleged Mexican brown heroin and four packages of alleged cocaine that were found in a secret compartment in the 2007 Ford Edge sedan's right and left front fenders. The Ford Edge was also seized by CBP.

The male driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. His name was not released.

“Our cadre of frontline officers did a great job in referring this vehicle to secondary and seizing this huge and significant amount of hard narcotics,” said Cris Cantu, Jr., CBP port director of the Roma/Falcon Dam. “I commend our officers for their work in securing our nation’s borders.”