Federal agents checking for shipments of cobblestones and auto equipment from Mexico this week discovered more than $18 million in methamphetamine in busts near Laredo, Texas.
According to port authorities, the upsurge of drug trafficking has become a serious international heath and security threat. Since July 15, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have found more than $50 million in drugs concealed in tractor-trailers at the US-Mexico border. On August 4, agents found $16 million of meth hidden inside a shipment of fresh broccoli from Mexico in Laredo.
Border officers seize $400,000 of meth smuggled in truck hauling motor vehicle parts. Despite compliance review giving FAST low-risk clearance, the drugs were found through periodic 2nd inspections. #RiskMitigation #TransportationScreening #DueDiligence https://t.co/IA6EMVVXlq
— Alliance Risk Group Inc. (@AWIGINC) June 8, 2020
“The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in South Texas is a common inspection point where drugs are being seized. This is a substantial amount of hard narcotics that our officers have detected and seized from drug trafficking organizations attempting to smuggle these drugs across our border,” said Carlos Rodriguez, CBP Port Director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas port of entries. “By preventing this drug load from reaching the U.S., CBP advances its border security mission, protecting our citizens and communities.”
In all of these instances, the drivers were arrested, and the cases turned over to the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
