WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 8: A U.S. Customs and Border Protection patch is displayed at the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters on August 8, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
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PHARR, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly $15 million worth of methamphetamine hidden inside a commercial shipment of fresh celery at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, federal officials announced Wednesday.
Drug-smuggling attempt thwarted
Officers intercepted the commercial tractor-trailer arriving from Reynosa, Mexico, on Saturday and referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection using nonintrusive scanning technology.
A physical search following anomalies detected during scanning uncovered 721 packages containing a total of 1,675.5 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the produce shipment. CBP estimated the street value of the seized drugs at $14,978,000.
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CBP officers seize $67 million in illegal drugs at San Diego border ports, DHS says
CBP officers in San Diego seized 553 pounds of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine worth $67 million during 144 smuggling attempts in July.
What they’re saying:
“This successful seizure of methamphetamine is a direct result of our officers’ keen intuition combined with our sophisticated tools and technology,” said Carlos Rodriguez, port director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “When you pair that human expertise with the precision of our scanning equipment, it creates a formidable defense against those attempting to smuggle illegal narcotics into our country.”
Federal officers seized both the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents have launched a criminal investigation into the smuggling attempt.
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