$37 million in meth seized in fresh tomatoes
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility struck a blow on narcotics smuggling organizations with the seizure of $37,000,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine discovered in a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes.
“This interception of methamphetamines is certainly on the list of the more significant drug seizures for the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas and will definitely impact this type of illicit activity,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
On Dec. 19, 2020, a CBP officer at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility referred a tractor/trailer hauling a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes to the non-intrusive imaging (NII) portal as part of the secondary inspection. This allowed the officers to continue the examination and ultimately discover 657 packages weighing 1,853 pounds (840.5 kg) of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the trailer’s floor.
CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the tractor/trailer and the case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
