U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have intercepted what they suspect is methamphetamine valued at over $10.3 million at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas, according to recent reports.
The significant discovery occurred on November 21, when a truck entering the cargo facility was subjected to further inspection. During this process, the substantial drug cache was found concealed within a shipment of lettuce originating from Mexico.
Utilizing nonintrusive inspection technology, officials were able to detect anomalies within the lettuce shipment, as revealed in a press release on Tuesday.
Upon closer examination, officers uncovered 500 packages of the alleged methamphetamine cleverly hidden among the salad greens.
Officers said they identified irregularities within the load of salad greens and a subsequent physical search uncovered 500 packages of suspected methamphetamine concealed within the salad leaves.
South Texas border officials seized over $10M worth of alleged methamphetamine in a cargo facility. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
According to the release, authorities seized approximately 1,153 pounds of the narcotics, packed into boxes meant to look like standard lettuce shipments.
A photo shared by CBP shows the brown boxes filled with tightly wrapped bundles of the alleged drugs.
“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Hundreds of pounds of fentanyl and meth seized near Ensenada in October arrive for officials from Mexico’s attorney general’s office to be unloaded at their headquarters in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, October 18, 2022. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology were instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics,” he added.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations seized both the illicit cargo and the commercial vehicle involved.
According to the news release, Homeland Security Investigations has since opened a criminal inquiry into the smuggling effort.
The bust comes just days before Thanksgiving, marking one of the larger methamphetamine seizures at the South Texas port of entry this year.
No additional details surrounding the driver or any arrests have been released as the investigation is ongoing.
