CBP Drug Seizures at Del Rio: What Immigrants Should Know
What if you are stopped for secondary inspection at a US port of entry — and you have done nothing wrong? CBP officers at the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas conducted two vehicle inspections in four days in early October 2026, seizing over $657,000 in narcotics from US citizens. Both drivers were US citizens, but heightened enforcement at ports of entry affects everyone who crosses — including immigrants with valid visas, green cards, or pending applications.
On October 8, 2026, a CBP officer at the Del Rio International Bridge referred a 2013 GMC Acadia for secondary inspection. The driver was a 23-year-old US citizen. Using a nonintrusive inspection system — a type of X-ray or imaging scanner — officers found 16 packages containing 23.68 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vehicle's frame. The estimated street value was $316,142. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents arrested the driver and opened a criminal investigation.
Three days later, on October 11, a 54-year-old US citizen driving a 2005 Ford Expedition was also referred for secondary inspection at the same bridge. Officers found 30 packages — 37.08 pounds of methamphetamine — hidden inside the spare tire. The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested that driver. Acting Port Director Julian DeHoyos credited "exceptional target profiling and rigorous inspections" for both seizures. In total, CBP seized more than $657,000 worth of narcotics in under a week.
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What this means for immigrants at ports of entry
Both people arrested in these cases were US citizens, not immigrants. But the enforcement climate matters for anyone crossing the border. When CBP runs high-intensity inspection operations, secondary screenings increase for all travelers — including green card holders (lawful permanent residents), visa holders, and people with pending immigration cases. A secondary inspection is not an arrest. You have the right to remain silent beyond identifying yourself and stating your immigration status. You do not have to consent to a search of your phone or personal belongings beyond what CBP is legally authorized to inspect at the border.
If you are in removal proceedings (the formal court process to decide whether you can stay in the US) or have an open immigration case, any encounter with law enforcement at the border — even as a witness — can appear in your record. Lawyers recommend telling your immigration attorney about any border crossing or secondary inspection before your next court date.
What to do if you are referred for secondary inspection
- Stay calm and comply with the officer's instructions. Resisting or fleeing makes your situation worse.
- You may state your immigration status (green card holder, visa holder, asylum applicant) clearly and calmly. You are not required to answer questions about your personal life, travel history beyond the current trip, or immigration case details.
- If officers ask to search your phone or personal devices, you can say: "I do not consent to a search of my device." CBP has broad authority at the border, but your objection is on the record.
- After the crossing, contact your immigration lawyer and describe what happened — especially if you have a pending green card application, asylum case, or removal proceeding.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
As an immigration attorney, I tell clients that a secondary inspection at a port of entry is not the same as an arrest — but it can have consequences if you have an open immigration case. CBP officers can ask about your admissibility, and anything you say can be used in removal proceedings. You have the right to remain silent on questions beyond your identity and status. If you are a green card holder or visa holder who was detained for more than a brief screening, document everything and consult an immigration attorney before your next border crossing or immigration hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBP stop me for secondary inspection even if I have a green card or valid visa?
Yes. CBP has the authority to refer any traveler — including green card holders and visa holders — for secondary inspection at a port of entry. Having valid immigration status does not exempt you from screening.
Do I have to answer all of CBP's questions during a secondary inspection?
You must identify yourself and state your immigration status. Beyond that, lawyers generally advise you to answer basic questions about your trip but to avoid volunteering details about your immigration case, personal life, or finances. You can politely decline to answer questions unrelated to your admissibility.
Can a secondary inspection at the border affect my pending green card or asylum case?
It can, if something in the inspection raises a flag — for example, if officers note inconsistencies in your statements. Even if nothing goes wrong, lawyers recommend telling your immigration attorney about any secondary inspection before your next USCIS appointment or immigration court hearing.
What happens if CBP finds something illegal in a vehicle I am traveling in but it is not mine?
You could still be detained for questioning. CBP and HSI will investigate who knew about the contraband. If you are an immigrant in this situation, contact an immigration attorney immediately — being present during a drug seizure, even as an innocent passenger, can complicate your immigration case.