In just two days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry across Texas have seized nearly 140 pounds of cocaine in two separate smuggling attempts.
At the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, CBP officers flagged a 2015 truck and trailer hauling a batch of frozen raspberries on July 14. After moving the vehicle into a secondary inspection station, officers discovered 32 tightly wrapped packages containing 74.6 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the trailer’s battery compartment. The estimated street value of the cocaine was listed as $996,114.
This week was raspberries, last week was carrots.
On July 10, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge seized over 1,700 pounds of meth worth around $15 million hidden in a shipment of carrots from Mexico – the second major meth bust at a Texas port this month, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“This second large load of methamphetamine in the last four days underscores the serious nature of the drug threat we face,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
Port Director Alberto Flores celebrated the bust in Laredo, saying, “The unwavering commitment and sharp instincts of our frontline CBP officers contributed to a remarkable seizure. This seizure speaks volumes about our CBP officers’ dedication to protecting our borders.”
The following day, officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry uncovered another big stash, this time in a 2016 Dodge Charger driven by a 44-year-old American citizen attempting to cross the International Bridge in Hidalgo.
A secondary inspection revealed 66.35 pounds of cocaine concealed in the vehicle, with an estimated street value of $886,023. The driver was arrested on-site, and Homeland Security agents have now launched a criminal investigation into the smuggling attempt.
Together, the two seizures removed over $1.88 million worth of cocaine from hitting the streets.
The Laredo and Hidalgo seizures come amid growing pressure at the southern border, where record volumes of drugs, illegal aliens, and counterfeit contraband have made the CBP’s job more demanding than ever.