Federal agents arrested two Mexican brothers Wednesday during a drug smuggling investigation.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations — a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — followed a white 2011 Chevrolet Malibu from the 200 block of South 3rd Street in Hidalgo to the Denny’s restaurant on South 10th Street in McAllen.

Erick Martinez-Jorge and Ivan Martinez-Jorge exited the Chevrolet Malibu and picked up a red 2007 Ford Explorer parked near the Denny’s, according to the criminal complaint against them.

Agents followed the Ford Explorer to the 2400 block of Live Oak Street in Mission, where the driver parked in a garage, according to the criminal complaint. The Ford Explorer quickly left Live Oak Street and headed to the Stripes at Shary Road and East Griffin Parkway.

When the Ford Explorer stopped at the Stripes, agents watched the driver, Ivan Martinez-Jorge, park next to a white Chevrolet Malibu — the same vehicle they’d seen at Denny’s.

“Agents approached Ivan MARTINEZ-Jorge and advised him that they were conducting an investigation and believed he was at a residence where narcotics were being stored,” according to the criminal complaint.

Ivan said his brother, Erick, was still at the home on Live Oak Street, according to the criminal complaint. Agents also entered the Stripes and detained Ernesto Gutierrez, who said he owned the Ford Explorer.

Agents asked Ivan for permission to search the home on Live Oak Street, according to the criminal complaint. Ivan agreed.

When agents searched the home, they found nearly 26 kilograms of cocaine and about 3.2 kilograms of heroin.

According to the criminal complaint:

Erick MARTINEZ-Jorge admitted to have taken out the bundles from the dash board area of the red Ford Explorer, and that he knew the packages contained narcotics. He further stated to have picked up the red Ford Explorer several times in the past, and that the last time he had picked up was on March 15, 2017. Record checks indicate the red Ford Explorer also made entry on that date. The records indicate that the drive (sic) of the Ford Explorer on March 15, 2017 was Ernesto GUTIERREZ. Erick MARTINEZ-Jorge further stated he was paid approximately $400.00 dollars for transporting and distributing the narcotics. Erick MARTINEZ-Jorge also claimed that on past occasions, once the narcotics are taken out of the vehicle at the residence, he was then instructed to deliver the narcotics to several locations in the Mission, Texas area.

Ivan and Erick Martinez-Jorge are Mexican citizens, according to the criminal complaint. Gutierrez is a United States citizen.

All three men are charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and importing heroin and cocaine.

Court records don’t list attorneys for the men, who remain in federal custody.