Sarahbeth Maney / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
On March 7th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas discovered and seized $2,404,300 of methamphetamine that was hidden in a shipment of Persian limes.
The drugs were discovered concealed inside a commercial tractor trailer attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. After a CBP officer selected the vehicle for inspection which included utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment and screening by a canine team, the officers found a total of 960 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 268.96 pounds.
CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle, while Homeland Security Investigations initiated a criminal investigation.
This isn’t the first time such a drug smuggling attempt has been tried at the same location. Earlier this year, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted and seized $7.77 million worth of meth that was trying to be brought into the United States by concealing it within a semi-truck’s shipment of Persian limes.
“Our CBP officers continue to safeguard America’s border by keeping harmful narcotics off our streets,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
US Customs and Border Protection
Fast forward to this week, two weeks after the impressive drug seizure in Pharr, and Customs and Border Protection agents at the Roma International Bridge in Texas intercepted a tractor trailer with more than $3.6 million worth of cocaine concealed inside of it.
CBP officers at the Roma Port of Entry in Texas were able to confiscate the narcotics on March 19 after a tractor trailer hauling a mixed commodity shipment was pulled out of line for an enforcement inspection. Using a nonintrusive imaging system, a scan revealed anomalies hidden within the commodity. After further physical examination, the Customs and Border Protection agents discovered 110 packages containing a total of 275.22 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed within the shipment. The total estimated street value of the seized drugs was $3,675,379.
“This significant seizure of cocaine exemplifies the steadfast dedication of our officers to CBP’s border security mission,” said Port Director Andres Guerra, Roma Port of Entry. “It also highlights the effective utilization of CBP officer experience and technology.”
The almost $3.7 million worth of cocaine, the tractor trailer, and the driver were all turned over to the Roma Police Department, who initiated a criminal investigation.
US Customs and Border Protection