The Office of Field Operations, under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), recently seized a large amount of methamphetamines as well as other narcotics at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas, according to a media release issued by CBP. Authorities estimated that there was more than $18 million worth of narcotics.
According to the media release, authorities found the shipment on Feb. 16 at the cargo facility when a CBP officer flagged down a trailer carrying a commercial shipment of fresh broccoli for further scrutiny. The authorities then began scanning the trailer using non-intrusive imaging, which allowed the officers to locate suspicious packages suspected to be filled with narcotics. Authorities were able to find a total of 432 packages hidden in the trailer.
“This was truly a notable seizure in the commercial environment,” said Carlos Rodriguez, the Port Director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas port of entry. “Our officers’ ability to maintain an excellent enforcement posture while keeping trade flowing and uninterrupted is one of our main priorities.”
According to the release, CBP officers were able to find in the trailer “341 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 895 pounds (406 kg) valued at $18,000,000, 87 packages of alleged marijuana weighing 202 pounds (91.5 kg) valued at $40,000, three packages of alleged heroin with a weight of 8.82 pounds (4 kg) valued at $353,000 and one package weighing 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of alleged cocaine valued at $25,500.”
Following the seizure by the CBP Office of Field Operations, Homeland Security took the trailer with the narcotics and its other contents away for investigation. The identity of the trailer driver in the case was not revealed.
Also in the same month, Office of Field Operations were able to find and seize $2.4 million worth of alleged methamphetamine and cocaine as well $36,600 worth of undeclared currency, according to a media release issued by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to the release, the amount was from four apparently unrelated incidents.
“Our officers at CBP Field Operations are tasked with the enforcement of numerous laws and regulations and keeping dangerous drugs from entering our country is at the top of the list,” Rodriguez stated.
Homeland Security Investigations has since taken over the investigation, and arrested the separate individuals on smuggling charges.
