PHARR, TX - Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be another produce-related drug story, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents uncovered 1,423 pounds of marijuana hidden in a shipment of coconuts crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at the Pharr International Bridge, near McAllen, Texas.
“Our officers’ ability to use all available resources combined with their experience has resulted in numerous discoveries of illegal narcotics,” explained Port Director Efrain Solis Jr. in a release. “We are keeping drugs off our streets, protecting our communities and our vigilance is continuous.”
CBP officers detailed an account of a crossing inspection of a tractor-trailer hauling a commercial shipment of coconuts. Using both nonintrusive imaging inspection and canine teams, the officers eventually discovered 2,486 packets of the suspected drug mixed in with the coconuts.
The drugs, with a reported value of $285,000, were seized, and Homeland Security Investigations' special agents are pursuing the case.
If I have learned anything in my tenure at AndNowUKnow, it's that criminals will never stop putting narcotics inside of fresh produce. So keep following up with AndNowUKnow for the latest and greatest fruit and veggie-related drug smuggling.
