Twice within the span of a week, Customs and Border Protection officers in Hidalgo, Texas seized massive shipments of alleged methamphetamine.
On July 6 officers found over $23 million in alleged methamphetamine concealed within a tractor-trailer hauling papayas, according to a statement from the agency.
On July 10, more than $15 million worth of meth was found in a shipment of carrots.
Both seizures occurred at Pharr International Bridge crossing in Texas.
On July 6, CBP officers assigned to the bridge's cargo facility encountered a commercial tractor-trailer making entry from Mexico hauling a shipment of papaya. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection, which included utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team.
Physical inspection led to the discovery of 384 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 2,571 pounds concealed within the vehicle. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $23,647,288.
CBP seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.
Load of alleged methamphetamine seized July 10 at borderU.S. Customs and Border Protection
Physical inspection led to the discovery of 311 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,706 pounds concealed within the vehicle. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $15,690,528.
CBP seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.
