Feds find $18 million worth of drugs in broccoli load

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that they recently intercepted a huge amount of illegal drugs from a truckload of vegetables at a Texas cargo facility.

The drug bust was made on February 16 at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility in Pharr, Texas, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

Officers at the facility referred a truck hauling a load of fresh broccoli for further inspection.

Through the use of “non-intrusive imaging equipment,” officers found 432 packages of various types of suspected drugs hidden in the broccoli:

CBP officers removed and seized 341 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 895 pounds (406 kg) valued at $18,000,000, 87 packages of alleged marijuana weighing 202 pounds (91.5 kg) valued at $40,000, three packages of alleged heroin with a weight of 8.82 pounds (4 kg) valued at $353,000 and one package weighing 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of alleged cocaine valued at $25,500.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the semi truck in addition to the drugs.

Homeland Security is still investigating the incident.

“This was truly a notable seizure in the commercial environment,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/ Anzalduas. “Our officers’ ability to maintain an excellent enforcement posture while keeping trade flowing and uninterrupted is one of our main priorities.”