U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a significant drug seizure at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility. On April 13, CBP officers intercepted $8.9 million in alleged methamphetamine hidden in a shipment declared as chayote, a green, pear-shaped squash from Mexico.
Port Director Carlos Rodriguez of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry commented on the operation: "Our CBP officers continue to take down load after load of harmful narcotics, illustrating the tireless work of securing our border and safeguarding our communities."
The methamphetamine was discovered when a tractor trailer entering from Mexico was selected for additional inspection. Using nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team, officers found 3,770 packages of the drug, with a total weight of 1,002 pounds (454.5 kg), hidden within the chayote shipment.
As a result, CBP's Office of Field Operations (OFO) seized both the narcotics and the vehicle. Subsequently, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations launched a criminal probe into the incident.
CBP is recognized as America's frontline defense and is the largest law enforcement organization in the nation and the first unified border management agency in the world. The agency's workforce of over 65,000 members is tasked with protecting the United States on land, in the air, and at sea, facilitating secure and legal travel and commerce, and contributing to the country's economic success. The agency emphasizes national security through a focus on innovation, intelligence, and cooperation.
For updates and further information from the CBP, the public can follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on social media platforms X and Instagram, and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s South Texas updates.
