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United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in South Texas recently intercepted and seized more than $17 million worth of meth in a single bust.
The massive drug seizure occurred after a CBP officer at Pharr International Bridge stopped a tractor trailer hauling a shipment of coconuts for a secondary inspection.
After conducting a secondary examination that included utilization of a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines, CBP officers discovered 378 packages containing a total of almost 1,950 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.
Customs and Border Protection estimates the meth that was seized in the bust to have an estimated street value of $17,431,726.
“Our frontline CBP officers continue to maintain a robust enforcement posture in the cargo environment and by effectively utilizing their training, experience, technology and canines they prevented a massive load of methamphetamine from wreaking havoc on our streets,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry “This seizure underscores the seriousness of the drug threat we face on a daily basis and the resolve of our officers to keep our communities safe.”
One-ton meth takedown in Pharr: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers seize nearly 1,950 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $17.4M at #Pharr International Bridge in truck hauling coconuts. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. Read more: https://t.co/iCZmmAFAp7 pic.twitter.com/FoYRxuEzGY
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) September 30, 2024
Drug smugglers will often try to conceal massive amounts of their illegal product inside of other benign shipments when crossing the border.
Two weeks ago, CBP officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in Calif. seized over a million dollars’ worth of cocaine concealed inside the fifth wheel area of a tractor-trailer.
That same week, CBP officers in San Ysidro, Calif. intercepted approximately 187 pounds of cocaine concealed within the rear cargo area of a commercial passenger bus.
Smugglers have also tried and failed recently to import their drugs inside shipments of planters, charcoal, wooden cabinets, and flowers.
They also often try to use food to disguise their drug shipments, including celery, lettuce, cucumbers and bell peppers, watermelons, squash, and tomatillos.
According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection report, on a “typical day” in 2023, CBP officers arrest 44 wanted criminals at ports of entry, and seize 2,339 pounds of illegal drugs, $182,998 illicit currency, and $6.6 million worth of products with Intellectual Property Rights violations.