On Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized a record amount of fentanyl from a tractor trailer at a Pharr, Texas, border crossing.
The drug bust occurred on October 13, 2022, at the Pharr International Bridges Cargo Facility, according to a news release from CBP.
CBP officers referred a tractor trailer arriving at the facility from Mexico for a secondary inspection. Using non-intrusive inspection technology, a canine unit, and later a physical inspection, officers uncovered 19 packages of alleged fentanyl weighing 44.35 pounds hidden within the tractor.
The estimated street value of the seized drugs is $1,036,000.
CBP seized the drugs and the semi truck.
The case was handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
“CBP officers intercepted this load of fentanyl, the largest thus far in port history, thanks to great teamwork and the utilization of all available tools and resources,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “It is important to remember how lethal fentanyl is, which is why our officers always work wearing personal protective equipment and use vital equipment which can identify these dangerous substances before officers handle them.”
Big Fentanyl Takedown: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers seize $1M in fentanyl hidden in a tractor trailer at Pharr International Bridge. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. Read more: https://t.co/I1QYUTuolw pic.twitter.com/eFh0gAGkgZ
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) October 14, 2022