Border Agents Seize Over $25 Million in Methamphetamine Hidden in Cabbage Shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently intercepted over $25 million in alleged methamphetamine hidden inside a vegetable shipment of cabbage and spices.

Pharr International Bridge Seizure

Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port Director Carlos Rodriguez praised his team for the rapid recovery of the illegal narcotics:

Our CBP officers' skills and expertise continue to be on display as they take down another massive shipment of dangerous, illicit narcotics.

On September 8, CBP officers stopped a semi-truck attempting to travel through Texas from Mexico carrying a large shipment of vegetables. Officers at the Pharr International Bridge Port of Entry stopped the vehicle and sent it through secondary inspection.

After a canine team screened the shipment, it was discovered that 1,164 packages of alleged meth were concealed among the vegetables. The total weight of the narcotics came to 2,815.30 pounds: a value of $25,167,000.

The semi-truck was seized, along with the narcotics, by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents.

What is Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology?

In addition to the canine unit deployed by CBP officers in discovering the narcotics on September 8, non-intrusive inspection (NII) technology was used. Agents use this option when they need to detect contraband and nuclear/radiological materials that pose serious threats to public safety.

In addition to providing another method in searching cargo for illegal goods, NII technology also allows CBP officers a way to conduct their searches without impacting the flow of legitimate traffic and cargo.

Check out the full fact sheet from CBP to learn more about NII technology and how it helps border agents every day. Keep up to date with the latest arrests along the Texas border with the newsroom webpage.