U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas intercepted two major shipments of alleged methamphetamine concealed in produce shipments from Mexico, with a combined estimated street value of over $39 million.
The first seizure occurred on July 6, when CBP officers encountered a commercial tractor-trailer hauling a shipment of papayas. After referring the vehicle for further inspection, including the use of nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team, officers discovered 384 packages of suspected methamphetamine. The narcotics weighed 2,571.69 pounds (1,166.5 kg) and carried an estimated street value of $23,647,288.
© CBP
"This massive methamphetamine seizure reflects the dangerous reality of the drug threat our officers face every day and the effective utilization of experience and technology to zero in and take down these loads," said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Just four days later, on July 10, officers at the same cargo facility intercepted a second shipment—this time concealed in a trailer hauling carrots. The inspection again involved advanced screening equipment and a canine team. Officers uncovered 311 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 1,706.37 pounds (774 kg), valued at $15,690,528.
"This second large load of methamphetamine in the last four days underscores the serious nature of the drug threat we face and the effectiveness of officer experience, inspection techniques, and technology to prevent these loads from moving further north and poisoning our communities," Rodriguez added.
In both cases, CBP seized the narcotics and commercial tractor-trailers. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents have launched criminal investigations into the incidents.
The seizures highlight the continued attempts by traffickers to exploit commercial shipments of fresh produce to smuggle narcotics into the United States and underscore CBP's role in frontline drug interdiction efforts at the U.S.–Mexico border.
For more information:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Tel: +1 202 344 1780
Email: [email protected]
www.cbp.gov-1
www.cbp.gov-2
