Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Saturday seized more than $16 million worth of methamphetamine hidden inside a shipment of fresh broccoli from Mexico.
The incident occurred at the cargo facility of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in South Texas, according to a CBP release on Tuesday.
CBP officers referred for further inspection a tractor-trailer that contained a commercial shipment of fresh produce from Mexico.
The inspection continued into the following day, when officers ultimately removed 1,561 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing more than 800 pounds.
The alleged meth has a street value of $16.09 million.
“This is a substantial amount of hard narcotics that our officers have detected and seized from drug trafficking organizations attempting to smuggle these drugs across our border,” said Carlos Rodriguez, CBP Port Director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas port of entries. “By preventing this drug load from reaching the U.S., CBP advances its border security mission, protecting our citizens and communities.”
The driver was arrested and the case has been turned over to the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
In July, four major drug busts totaling $33 million involving trucks from Mexico also occurred at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.
Click for more FreightWaves articles by Noi Mahoney.
More articles
Jockeying amid US-China trade tensions, Mexico eyes Asian investors
Survey highlights China’s dominance of rare earth metals
Arkonik Ltd. launches North American headquarters in South Carolina
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now