U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Texas last week intercepted a massive methamphetamine shipment, valued at nearly $16 million, hidden in a load of carrots.
CBP Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on July 10 encountered a commercial tractor-trailer making entry from Mexico with a shipment of carrots, and referred the vehicle for secondary inspection. Following the use of nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team, physical examination revealed 311 packages of alleged methamphetamine.
In total, the packages weighed 1,706.37 pounds (774 kg), giving the methamphetamine an estimated street value of $15,690,528.
“This second large load of methamphetamine in the last four days underscores the serious nature of the drug threat we face and the effectiveness of officer experience, inspection techniques, and technology to prevent these loads from moving further north and poisoning our communities,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, said in a statement Saturday.
CBP seized the meth and the vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents launched a criminal investigation.
