Border officers seize $29M in meth in shipments from Mexico

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently seized methamphetamine worth more than $29 million in separate incidents at the World Trade Bridge, authorities said.

The first case occurred Aug. 14 when a tractor-trailer from Mexico carrying an industrial mixing machine arrived at the bridge’s cargo facility. CBP found 1,211 pounds of meth in the shipment, worth an estimated $24.2 million.

The second incident occurred Aug. 17, when officers inspected a shipment of industrial machinery. CBP discovered 399 pounds of meth worth an estimated $5.6 million.

“The scope of methamphetamine abuse in the U.S. is on the rise,” said Andrew Douglas, port director for the Laredo port of entry.

CBP officers seized the narcotics and the cases were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.

The two seizures are the latest in a recent string of large drug busts involving trucks on the U.S.-Mexico border. Since July 15, more than $171 million in narcotics has been seized from trucks in Texas and California.

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