PHARR, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Pharr International Bridge this weekend seized more than $5.1 million in methamphetamine hidden among cucumbers and bell peppers in a single enforcement action.
“Our frontline CBP officers continue to deploy a strategic combination of inspections experience coupled with technology and that effort yielded this significant methamphetamine seizure,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Laredo Port of Entry “These types of seizures illustrate CBP’s efforts to protect our communities from the spread of hard narcotics.”
Packages containing nearly 578 pounds of methamphetamine were seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge.
The seizure occurred on June 30 at the Pharr International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer hauling a shipment of cucumbers and bell peppers for secondary inspection. CBP officers conducted a secondary examination that included utilization of a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines.
Upon further physical examination, CBP officers discovered 360 packages containing 577.61 pounds of alleged methamphetamine in the trailer. The narcotics had a street value of $5,163,496.
CBP seized the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations special agents have initiated a criminal investigation.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
