Man accused of smuggling fentanyl in 'groin area,' docs show

PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was arrested after allegedly smuggling fentanyl into the U.S. in his groin area, documents revealed.

Timothy Ryan Holmes, born in 1989, was arrested on charges of illegal importation of a controlled substance and conspiracy to import a controlled substance, federal records show.

On Wednesday, Homeland Security Investigations in McAllen received a request for assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Progreso Port of Entry. CBP officers had detained Holmes, who was attempting to enter the U.S. with 120 "dosage units" of fentanyl and other drugs, a criminal complaint stated.

During a secondary inspection, officers searched Holmes and found 13.3 grams of fentanyl, 18.29 grams of oxycodone and 75.99 grams of Alprazolam "concealed in his groin area," according to the document.

HSI special agents interviewed Holmes, who said he was hired by a person in Mexico to transport the drugs. According to the complaint, Holmes said he was paid $450.

Holmes made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday. Records show a detention hearing was scheduled for Friday morning.