“Record Breaking” $37 MILLION of Meth Seized from Load of Tomatoes
Laredo, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge seized a “record breaking” amount of methamphetamine from a big rig’s load of tomatoes this week.
CBP reports the seizure occurred on Wednesday, March 25, when officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes arriving from Mexico.
The 2007 Freightliner tractor and shipment was referred for a K-9 and non-intrusive imaging system inspection.
Officers discovered 654 packages containing 1847.91 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the load.
CBP says the narcotics have an estimated street value of $36,957,914.
“Officers at the Laredo Port of Entry have heightened their enforcement strategy when targeting these high-risk commodities, successfully disrupting the flow of deadly narcotics from entering our country,” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez, Laredo Port of Entry. “This record breaking drug bust was an exceptional operation that highlights CBP’s commitment in confronting the drug abuse epidemic.”
CBP seized the narcotics, truck and trailer.
Authorities did not identify the truck driver or indicate if smuggling charges will be filed.
The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
Fifth Major Big Rig Drug Bust This Month
This is the fifth large big rig drug bust CBP has reported just this month.
On March 12, CBP officers made two large big rig drug busts within only a few hours on the World Trade Bridge.
Then last week, CBP intercepted two more loads of narcotics at the World Trade Bridge worth an estimated $8.7 million.
Get the latest news on the big rig border battle HERE.
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