PHARR, Texas — Seizing drugs at the Mexican border is nothing new, but the volume of methamphetamine found this weeks was notable.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported this week that its officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted $14,700,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine concealed in a commercial trailer.
On May 16, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility say they encountered a tractor-trailer hauling a shipment of lettuce traveling from Reynosa, Mexico.
“The vehicle was referred to secondary for further inspection utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment,” CBP’s release stated. “Nonintrusive inspection showed anomalies within the trailer. Physical inspection of the trailer resulted in the extraction of 307 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,644.64 lbs. (746 kg.) concealed within the trailer.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.
“This massive load of hard narcotics will not make it to American streets, thanks to our CBP officers’ commitment to border security,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Through the effective utilization of nonintrusive inspection technology and officer experience, as this seizure illustrates, our frontline CBP officers are protecting the homeland from the scourge of highly addictive narcotics, to include methamphetamine.”
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
