Omar Ornelas / USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents recently made quite a discovery as they were inspecting a tractor-trailer carrying a shipment of fresh bell peppers and cucumbers: $14 million worth of meth. $14,620,900 to be exact.
The massive drug seizure occurred on Friday, April 11 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas. The drugs were found in a tractor-trailer attempting to make entry into the United States from Mexico.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was found to be carrying the 1,635.56 pounds of meth after a CBP officer referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection. After physically inspecting the vehicle, which included utilizing non-intrusive inspection equipment and a canine team, the officers pulled 300 packages of methamphetamine from the shipment that had been manifested as fresh bell pepper and cucumbers.
Customs and Border Protection seized all of the meth as well as the tractor-trailer, while Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation
“Our CBP officers continue to use all tools and resources to safeguard our borders by preventing these harmful narcotics from reaching America’s streets,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
CBP
Shipments of food items crossing the border from Mexico into the United States are known to occasionally have drugs hidden inside of them. They have been found by CBP officers in everything from shipments of limes and jalapenos to turnips and soft drinks.
It’s also not always just drugs that these federal agents encounter while conducting inspections at the borders. Recently, Hidalgo Port of Entry CBP officers in Texas intercepted and seized 73.41 lbs. of cocaine… and a spider monkey.
Hidalgo Port of Entry CBP Officers intercepted a spider monkey and 73.41 lbs. of cocaine. Some monkeys are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Monkeys are prohibited from importation as pets. #OFOProud🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZhkyGLukXb
— Director of Field Operations, Donald R. Kusser (@DFOLaredo) April 11, 2025