Officers squash smuggling attempt after seizing nearly $9M of meth hidden in the veggie
Officers at a bridge along the Texas-Mexico border seized nearly $9 million in alleged methamphetamine hidden inside a squash shipment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release.
Officers made the discovery on April 13 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, which connects U.S. 281 to the Mexican city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas.
That day, a tractor-trailer pulled up from Mexico containing chayote, a green, pear-shaped squash, border protection said. An officer thought the vehicle needed further inspection, where officers use non-intrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. The team found “alleged methamphetamine,” border protection said, calling the find "soured squash" in the news release.
Officers then spent the majority of the day removing 3,770 packages weighing 1,002 pounds hidden within the squash shipment, border protection said.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations seized the narcotics and vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents started a criminal investigation. Altogether, they found $8,900,000 in alleged methamphetamine.
Just a few days earlier, officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized over $14 million in alleged methamphetamine within a shipment marked as fresh bell pepper and cucumbers.
More on the Pharr International Bridge
There were 300 packages that altogether contained 1,635 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a trailer, border protection said. Officers seized the drugs.
According to government officials, the Pharr International Bridge measures 3.2 miles long. Officials claim it has “the fastest commercial crossing time in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.”
It is an international bridge participating in the Free And Secure Trade program. According to border protection, the Free And Secure Trade program was created after 9/11 and allows faster processing for commercial carriers who have completed background checks and other requirements.
Truck drivers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico can enroll.
Carlos Rodriguez, port director of the Pharr, Hidalgo, and Anzalduas ports of entry, said in the news release about the squash that officers are working hard to crack down on drug smuggling.
“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,” he said in the news release.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.