CBP seizes more than $14 million in methamphetamine at Pharr International Bridge

PHARR, Texas-U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted $14,978,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine concealed in a shipment manifested as fresh celery.

"This successful seizure of methamphetamine is a direct result of our officers' keen intuition combined with our sophisticated tools and technology," said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. "Our officers are trained to look beyond the surface, and when you pair that human expertise with the precision of our scanning equipment, it creates a formidable defense against those attempting to smuggle illegal narcotics into our country."

On Aug. 15, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico with a shipment manifested as fresh celery. The vehicle was referred to secondary for further inspection utilizing nonintrusive inspection equipment. Nonintrusive inspection showed anomalies within the shipment. Physical inspection of the vehicle resulted in the extraction of 721 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1675.51 lbs. (760 kg.) concealed within the shipment.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigation Special Agents initiated a criminal investigation.

Fulfilling President Donald J. Trump's mandate, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the leadership of DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, have delivered the most secure border in history, stopping dangerous criminal aliens, weapons, and illicit narcotics from entering our communities, which will keep America safe for generations to come.

Follow the Director of CBP's Laredo Field Office on X @DFOLaredo and Instagram @dfolaredo and Facebook@LaredoFieldOfficeOFO, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection at X @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Cargo Security
• Drug Seizure
• Drug Trafficking
• Methamphetamine
• Office of Field Operations
• Smuggling