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When are drug smugglers going to learn that you can’t sneak anything by the agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection? For the second time in less than a week, Texas CBP agents thwarted another smuggler trying to hide over $15M worth of meth inside a shipment of food. This time they found the drugs in a shipment of carrots!
Texas feds intercept another massive shipment of illegal drugs
Late last week, CBP Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas intercepted yet another a large load of alleged meth being transported by a commercial tractor-trailer attempting to make entry into the United States from Mexico. The tractor-trailer, which was supposed be hauling a shipment of carrots, and only a shipment of carrots, was actually a cover for a load of alleged methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $15,690,528.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was caught red-handed when a CBP officer referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection. Utilizing non-intrusive inspection equipment and a canine team, the federal agents were able to locate 311 packages of meth with a combined weight of 1,706.37 pounds concealed within the vehicle.
The agents seized the more than $15 million worth of narcotics and the commercial tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are now investigating this latest multi-million dollar drug smuggling effort.
“This second large load of methamphetamine in the last four days underscores the serious nature of the drug threat we face and the effectiveness of officer experience, inspection techniques, and technology to prevent these loads from moving further north and poisoning our communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
Two for two: for the 2nd time in four days, @DFOLaredo @CBP officers at #Pharr International Bridge seized a gargantuan load of meth. This latest find, valued at $15.6M was found in a tractor trailer hauling carrots. @HSI_SanAntonio is investigating. More: https://t.co/yKCA1CGiNJ pic.twitter.com/pzsYceiZNP
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) July 12, 2025
CBP agents are taking a big bite out of crime
Just a few days prior to this seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the same facility in Pharr, Texas confiscated more than $23 million in alleged meth concealed within a tractor-trailer hauling a shipment of papayas. The officers ended up seizing 384 packages of alleged meth weighing a total of 2,571.69 pounds in that bust.
“This massive methamphetamine seizure reflects the dangerous reality of the drug threat our officers face every day and the effective utilization of experience and technology to zero-in and take down these loads,” said Port Director Rodriguez.
Smugglers often use food items to try and bring drugs into the U.S.
Smugglers have been busted numerous times attempting to bring their drugs into the United States inside various shipments of food. tomatillos, lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, limes, and squash have all been used in failed attempts to bring drugs into America.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, during the 2025 fiscal year, their officers have now seized more than 92,100 pounds of methamphetamine, 122,000 pounds of marijuana, 46,500 pounds of cocaine, over 8,500 pounds of fentanyl, and 36,700 pounds of Khat.