$16.5 million in meth seized from big rig at Texas border crossing

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently seized more than half a ton of illegal drugs from a commercial vehicle entering the U.S. from Mexico.

The drug seizure occurred on Saturday, October 9, at the Pharr International Bridge Cargo Facility located in Pharr, Texas.

CBP officers encountered a tractor trailer arriving at the facility from Mexico and referred the vehicle for a closer inspection.

Using non-intrusive imaging equipment and a canine unit in addition to a physical inspection, officers discovered 468 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 1,179.47 pounds hidden in the trailer.

CBP seized both the drugs and the truck.

The estimated value of the seized drugs is $16,512,400.

“This massive load of methamphetamine will not reach our city streets thanks to our CBP officers and their great teamwork and utilization of all available tools and resources,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

The case is under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.