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Here’s a new one. Smugglers have been busted trying to brings their drugs into the United States inside shipments of things like roses, carrots, dog shampoo, and soft drinks. They have tried stuffing millions of dollars worth of drugs inside vehicles, like a Kia Sorrento and a Nissan Rogue, and in large trash containers labeled “acetone.” Now, after two recent drug seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Texas we can add broccoli and aluminum burr to the list of items smugglers have tried to use to bring their drugs into America.
Last Friday, Customs and Border Protection agents at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge cargo facility in Laredo, Texas encountered a commercial truck attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. The truck was supposed to be carrying a shipment of aluminum burr.
Not satisfied with just taking the driver’s word for it, a CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection using nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. Then, after physically inspecting the shipment, it was discovered that there were also four sacks of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 4,241 pounds concealed within the payload.
The drugs, which had an estimated street value of $37,913,462, was seized by Customs and Border Protection. A criminal investigation into the seizure was also initiated by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
“Seizures like this large meth interception illustrate not only the seriousness of the drug threat that our frontline officers face every day, but their resolve and effective use of technology and interception to stop this poison in its tracks,” said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
Mother meth lode: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers at #Laredo’s Colombia-Solidarity Bridge seize $37M in methamphetamine in truck hauling aluminum burr. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. More: https://t.co/Lkiwdduf94 pic.twitter.com/PywQ6vRIJG
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) September 4, 2025
Meanwhile in Pharr, Texas…
Three days later, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas were inspecting a tractor-trailer hauling a commercial shipment of broccoli when they too found something interesting: methamphetamine.
After the use of nonintrusive inspection equipment, a canine team, and a physical inspection, it turned out that, in addition to broccoli, the tractor-trailer was also hauling 488 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,480.40 pounds worth more than $13 million.
“This massive load of narcotics will not reach American streets thanks to the tireless inspection work undertaken by our CBP officers on the front lines,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry.
CBP
So now we can add aluminum burr and broccoli to the ever growing list of items smugglers have tried to use, including squash, peppers, cucumbers, plastic wrap, and marble, to sneak their drugs into the United States.