A man was taken into custody at the Brownsville-Matamoros Port of Entry after heroin was found in his car.

Manuel Perez-Villareal was attempting to cross his Ford F250 into the United States when a brown powdery substance was detected during an inspection.

The substance tested positive for heroin and officials found a total of 30.8 pounds hidden inside the front axle and drive shaft.

When asked about the heroin, Perez admitted to knowing that drugs were in his truck, but he said he thought it was marijuana.

He told authorities that he was supposed to drive the car to a gas station in Brownsville to meet an unknown individual.

Perez said he had been paid $500 to bring the truck across the border.