LAREDO, TX - Concentrated efforts led the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations to triumph over evil this past weekend. Criminals attempted to smuggle methamphetamine and cocaine worth an estimated $53,096,364 in street value hidden within a shipment of fresh cauliflower, which officers seized in an enforcement action.
“Attempts to smuggle contraband through commercial supply chains are increasing,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “CBP’s continued robust enforcement posture and dedication to border security operations has led us to major narcotic interdictions at our cargo facilities.”
On November 12, at the World Trade Bridge, CBP officers encountered a 2013 Kenworth tractor posing as a shipment of fresh cauliflower arriving from Mexico, which was referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection. Officials uncovered 412 packages containing 2,611.15 lbs of alleged methamphetamine and 50 packages containing 113.31 lbs of alleged cocaine.
According to a press release, CBP seized the narcotics, and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
We thank all the agents involved in bringing these criminals to justice and protecting the fresh cauliflower involved.
