U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr International Bridge recently made a significant drug seizure, intercepting over 2,800 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of fresh produce. The estimated value of the confiscated narcotics exceeds $25 million.
The incident took place on September 8, when a tractor-trailer arriving from Reynosa, Mexico, was referred for further inspection at the bridge’s cargo facility. Utilizing a nonintrusive imaging system and a canine unit, officers conducted a thorough examination of the vehicle, which ultimately led to a physical inspection.
Within the shipment, which was declared to contain fresh cabbage, tomatillos, and cilantro, officers discovered 1,164 packages containing a total of 2,815 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. The street value of the drugs was calculated to be $25,167,000.
Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, overseeing the Hidalgo, Pharr, and Anzalduas Port of Entry, commended the skills and dedication of CBP officers, stating, “Our CBP officers’ skills and expertise continue to be on display as they take down another massive shipment of dangerous, illicit narcotics.”
The seized drugs, along with the tractor-trailer, are now in the custody of CBP’s Office of Field Operations. Meanwhile, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations have initiated a criminal investigation into the smuggling attempt, although no arrests have been reported at this time.
