(Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)
PHARR, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized more than $25 million worth of methamphetamine hidden inside a commercial produce shipment earlier this month, authorities announced.
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Meth found in produce shipment
What we know:
The seizure happened Sept. 8 at the bridge’s cargo facility when officers referred a tractor-trailer arriving from Reynosa, Mexico, for a secondary inspection. The examination utilized a nonintrusive imaging system scan and a canine-team screening before officers conducted a physical inspection of the vehicle.
Inside a shipment manifested as fresh cabbage, tomatillos, and cilantro, officers found 1,164 packages containing a combined 2,815 pounds of alleged methamphetamine, according to CBP. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $25,167,000.
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What they’re saying:
“Our CBP officers’ skills and expertise continue to be on display as they take down another massive shipment of dangerous, illicit narcotics,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez of the Hidalgo, Pharr, and Anzalduas Port of Entry.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations seized both the illegal drugs and the tractor-trailer. Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations have initiated a criminal investigation into the smuggling attempt.
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