There is almost nothing smugglers will not try to use to sneak their illegal drugs into America. They use all kinds of food and other items in attempts to conceal their contraband. Often, they are hidden inside vehicles trying to cross the border into the United States.
Authorities in Texas thwarted the latest attempt at drug smuggling, which involved yet another type of produce: blackberries. They can now be added to a list that already includes broccoli, tomatillos, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and limes.
On March 23, in the evening, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas encountered a commercial tractor-trailer. It was supposed to be carrying a shipment of blackberries, manifesting from Reynosa, Mexico.
As they often do in cases such as this, the officers sent the tractor-trailer to the secondary inspection dock. There, they could use nonintrusive inspection tools for an additional examination of the vehicle.
CBP officers found a total of 862 packages of suspected methamphetamine weighing 1,984.16 pounds (900 kg) hidden within the blackberries. The estimated total street value of the narcotics is $17,737,200.
The CBP agents confiscated the tractor-trailer and the drugs. Homeland Security Investigation special agents then started a criminal investigation into the seizure.
“Our CBP officers use all available tools and technology to thwart smuggling attempts at our international crossings,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “This massive interception of meth illustrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe.”
Illegal drugs continuously pour into the United States
This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that it had seized nearly 57 million lethal doses of fentanyl in less than a month.
The seizure was a component of Operation Fentanyl Free America, Phase II. According to NewsNation, between January 12 and February 10, 2026, authorities confiscated nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder and over 4.7 million fentanyl pills.
“We’re making a serious impact on the supply chain,” DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee told Border Report. “This year alone, in the first three months of 2026 here in San Diego, we seized 6 million deadly doses – that’s enough to kill every San Diegan three times.
“Cartels are intentionally poisoning Americans, driving the fentanyl crisis, and profiting from the misery caused by addiction,” Nunnallee added. “DEA is actively targeting the cartels, using every tool in our toolkit to eliminate the threat they pose to our communities. We continue to work with our partners every day to ensure San Diego is safe and a place where our youth can thrive.”