PHARR, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) recovered more than 50 pounds of cocaine bound for the United States aboard a shipment of tomatoes this weekend. The drugs were bound for the United States via the Pharr International Bridge.
“These are outstanding seizures from our officers at the cargo facility. Despite the summer heat, our officers remain vigilant and continue to uphold the CBP mission,” said Port Director Severiano Solis, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, in a press release from the CBP.
According to the CBP report, on July 8, CBP officers from the Pharr International Bridge singled out and referred a Freightliner tractor trailer for secondary inspection. CBP officers used a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine team to locate 16 packages of cocaine comingled with the truck’s tomato shipment.
The tomato truck was one of three drug busts at the point of entry this weekend. All told, from July 6th to July 8th, CBP OFO officers seized more than $940,000 in drugs. The cases remain under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
Where will treacherous types attempt to infiltrate our industry next? Via tomatoes, taters, turnips, or truffles—AndNowUKnow will let you know.
