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United States Customs and Border Protection agents in Del Rio, Texas seized over $1.1 million worth of meth in a single bust on Wednesday.
Agents with the Office of Field Operations officers at Del Rio International Bridge made the massive meth seizure after an officer referred a 2014 Ford van hauling a utility trailer for secondary inspection.
It was during that closer secondary examination that agents utilized a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines to uncover eight packages containing a total of 124.78 pounds of alleged meth hidden within planters in the trailer.
The total street value of the seized narcotics was estimated to be $1,115,472, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.
Del Río meth takedown: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers at #DelRio Port of Entry seize $1.1M in methamphetamine in van hauling utility trailer. Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Read more here: https://t.co/aCzSdv1jP3 pic.twitter.com/lgLgTWV9fC
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) September 12, 2024
“This seizure reflects the commitment of our frontline officers to CBP’s border security mission and the effective utilization of inspection experience and technology,” said Port Director Liliana Flores, Del Rio Port of Entry. “These drugs will not be entering and causing further harm to our communities.”
The packages of meth, the driver, vehicle and trailer were all turned over to the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office for a criminal investigation.
A little over one week ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry in Texas seized more than $701,000 in narcotics in a single enforcement action.
That seizure took place on Sept. 1 at the Camino Real International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2006 Chevrolet Express van for secondary inspection and found 31 packages containing a total of 69.3 pounds of alleged meth and one package containing 2.6 pounds of alleged heroin.
The drugs were hidden inside the walls of three food ovens located on the roof rack of the van.
Drug smugglers have attempted (and failed) to sneak their product into the United States in shipments of charcoal, hidden inside various vehicles, and in shipments of all kinds of vegetables over the past two months.