Customs officers seize 71 pounds of marijuana hidden in sedan's tires

PROGRESO — U.S. customs officers seized a marijuana stash hidden inside the tires of a northbound vehicle at the Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge on Thursday.

An X-ray scan revealed anomalies in all four tires on a 1997 Mercury Cougar sedan as its driver attempted to cross into the United States, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A narcotic detector dog then sniffed out a 71-pound load of marijuana hidden within the tires.

Officers retrieved 12 marijuana bundles with an estimated street value of $61,000.

Authorities arrested the vehicle’s driver, Josue Benito Castellanos Manzanares, 21, of Valle Hermoso, Tamps., along with a passenger, Luis Gerardo Vasquez Gutierrez, 23, also of Valle Hermoso. The Mexican citizens were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who are investigating the case.

The men remain incarcerated pending an appearance before a U.S. magistrate.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.