U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $72.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine during two separate cargo inspections at South Texas ports of entry on the same day, authorities announced.
The two enforcement actions on June 19 resulted in the seizure of more than 8,000 pounds of suspected methamphetamine at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo and the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility.
The larger seizure occurred at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo when CBP officers referred a 2011 Dodge Ram stake-bed truck hauling a shipment manifested as polypropylene for a secondary inspection.
After a narcotics detection canine alerted to the vehicle, officers conducted a nonintrusive inspection and discovered approximately 7,047.73 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed within the cargo. CBP estimated the narcotics have a street value of approximately $63 million.
Later that same day, officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility inspected a tractor-trailer arriving from Reynosa, Mexico. The truck was referred for a secondary inspection after nonintrusive inspection equipment detected anomalies inside the trailer.
During a physical inspection, officers found 193 packages of suspected methamphetamine weighing a combined 1,042.78 pounds concealed within the trailer. The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of more than $9.3 million, according to CBP.
In both cases, CBP officers seized the narcotics and the vehicles involved.
“Our frontline officers remain committed to carrying out our border security mission, as exemplified by these significant enforcement actions,” Donald R. Kusser, CBP’s director of field operations for the Laredo Field Office, said in a statement.
Homeland Security Investigations has opened criminal investigations into both seizures.
CBP has not announced any arrests in connection with the cases.
