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Federal officers with United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a whopping $7.5 million worth of meth last week that was concealed in a semi-trailer hauling the vegetable jicama, AKA Mexican turnips. CBP Office of Field Operations ended up seizing not only the narcotics, but the semi and trailer as well.
The massive drug smuggling bust occurred at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas when a semi-trailer was making its entry into the United States from Mexico. The meth was discovered after the semi-trailer was selected for a secondary inspection.
Using non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment and CBP canines, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered a total of 892 packages containing 838 pounds of meth concealed within the rig. The seized methamphetamine had a total estimated street value of $7,494,558.
“Seizures like this one illustrate the scourge of hard narcotics like methamphetamine and the determination, vigilance and experience of our frontline CBP officers to utilize their training, experience and resources to prevent it from entering the U.S. and causing further harm,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents have initiated a criminal investigation into the drug seizure.
Multimillion meth takedown in Pharr: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers at #Pharr International Bridge seize nearly $7.5M in methamphetamine hidden in tractor trailer hauling jicama. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. Read more: https://t.co/62ceM7daVg pic.twitter.com/31tUu8MD4t
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) December 11, 2024
Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized half a ton of methamphetamine worth $14,075,000 and nearly 10 pounds of cocaine in one single bust. Those illegal drugs were discovered also concealed within a commercial shipment of fresh bell peppers arriving from Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at Pharr International Bridge discovered methamphetamine worth $14,075,000 and nearly 10 pounds of cocaine concealed within shipment of fresh produce. @CBP #SouthwestBorder #BorderSecurityhttps://t.co/odwW7b4D1Y pic.twitter.com/sEkkQbVeVD
— CBP RGV (@CBPRGV) February 7, 2019
Drug smugglers often try (and fail) to bring their illegal drugs into the United States by hiding them within various food items like peppers, green onions, watermelons, squash, tomatillos, and lettuce.