Border Patrol Seizes $12 Million Worth of Meth in Produce Truck
Border patrol agents in Pharr, Texas recently made a huge methamphetamine bust after searching a truck that was hauling frozen strawberries.
Authorities at the Pharr International Bridge seized 906 pounds of meth on February 16. The street value was estimated at $12,700,000.
A media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection lays out the facts:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge hit the drug-smuggling organizations hard this weekend with a substantial interception of hard narcotics, seizing $12,700,000 worth of methamphetamine.
“This was an outstanding interception our officers accomplished this weekend,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Our officers’ astute sense of awareness and tenacity is unparalleled and truly commendable.”
On Feb. 16, CBP officers working at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility encountered a 42-year-old male Mexican citizen with a commercial shipment of frozen strawberries arriving from Mexico. CBP referred the shipment for further inspection and with the use of all available tools and resources, officers discovered 350 packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the trailer. CBP OFO seized 906 pounds of methamphetamine (411 kg) along with the tractor/trailer.
This seizure was accomplished with the utilization of non-intrusive imaging (NII) equipment along with assistance from CBP (canine teams).
CBP OFO arrested the man involved in the seizure and subsequently released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
It's crazy to think how many of the items we casually pick up at the supermarket might have been in contact with drugs or other smuggled goods, isn't it? Just imagine how much gets past these checkpoints and crossings every day.