Photos Show Over a Ton of Meth, Cocaine Seized in Texas Worth $53M
New photos show over a ton of methamphetamine and cocaine, worth approximately $53 million, that was recently seized by border agents in Texas.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted the photos of the seized narcotics on Twitter and in a press release on their website.
According to CBP, border agents made two seizures over the past few days of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, with an estimated street value of over $53,200,000.
CBP agents made the first seizure on November 12 when agents stopped a 2013 Kenworth tractor at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas. The press release said that the tractor's manifest showed it was carrying a shipment of fresh cauliflower, traveling from Mexico into the U.S.
As the tractor was crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border, CBP officers referred the truck for further inspection. After a canine and what the release called a "non-intrusive imaging system inspection," CBP officers discovered 412 packages of what was alleged to be methamphetamine and 50 packages of what was alleged to be cocaine, hidden within the truck's shipment of cauliflower.
According to CBP, the 412 packages contained over a ton of methamphetamine, while the 50 other packages contained approximately 110 pounds of cocaine.
"The narcotics combined had an estimated street value of $53,096,364," CBP said in the press release.
Later that same night, CBP officers made another seizure after stopping a 2012 Ford E-350 at the same bridge. CBP said that the truck was traveling from Mexico and had a shipment of seat cushions. After the truck was inspected by dogs and the same "non-intrusive imaging system inspection," CBP agents discovered over 1,000 pounds of what was alleged to be marijuana within 400 different packages. The marijuana has an estimated street value of over $200,000, according to CBP.
"The narcotics combined had an estimated street value of $53,299,099," CBP said.
After the narcotics were seized by CBP agents, they were turned over to special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations for a further investigation.
"Attempts to smuggle contraband through commercial supply chains are increasing," Laredo Port of Entry Director Alberto Flores said. "CBP's continued robust enforcement posture and dedication to border security operations has led us to major narcotic interdictions at our cargo facilities."
Earlier this month, CBP agents stationed at the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas made a similar seizure, after they discovered over $107,000 worth of cocaine hidden within a BMW.
According to data from CBP, throughout 2021, over 400,000 pounds of narcotics have been seized by border agents. There have been over 20,000 drug seizure events over the past year, according to the data.
Newsweek was directed to Alberto Flores' comments in the release after reaching out to CBP for comment
