Border Agents Seize $11.5 Million in Methamphetamine Hidden in Produce at Pharr International Bridge

PHARR, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered that a produce shipment from Mexico also contained $11,500,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the trailer.

“This is a substantial amount of hard narcotics seized from drug trafficking organizations attempting to smuggle drugs across our border,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “This significant interception will keep the drugs from reaching our communities.”

On Feb. 21, 2021, a tractor/trailer hauling a commercial shipment of fresh mixed produce arrived at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the shipment for further inspection, including a non-intrusive imaging (NII) system examination which led to the discovery of packages of suspected narcotics concealed within the trailer’s floor. Officers removed 305 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 575 pounds (261 kg).

CBP OFO seized the narcotics along with the tractor/trailer and the case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).