Drugs worth $38 million hidden in tractor-trailers were seized over two days in Texas
Story by: Noi Mahoney at FreightWaves
Law enforcement found two tons of marijuana and 1,800 pounds of methamphetamine during two separate drug busts in Texas last week.
Both seizures occurred at international bridge crossings with the narcotics hidden inside produce shipments from Mexico.
The first incident occurred on March 22 when United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted a commercial shipment of fresh bananas.
Officers discovered 4,616 pounds of alleged marijuana hidden inside banana boxes destined for the U.S. The alleged marijuana had a street value of $923,290, according to the CBP.
The second drug seizure occurred Wednesday when Laredo CBP officers assigned to the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge cargo facility inspected a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes arriving from Mexico in a tractor-trailer.
The truck and shipment were inspected by officers, resulting in the discovery of 1,847 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed among the tomatoes. The alleged drugs have an estimated $37 million in street value.
“This record-breaking drug bust was an exceptional operation that highlights CBP’s commitment in confronting the drug abuse epidemic,” Gregory Alvarez, port director for the Laredo Port of Entry, said in a release.
Both cases have been turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.
Read the original story and more news from south border HERE
Source and credits: freightwaves.com
