On June 17, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor trailer making entry from Mexico. The vehicle was selected for inspection, which included the use of non-intrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. After physically inspecting the shipment, officers extracted 1,267 packages of alleged marijuana weighing 1,455 pounds (660 kg) concealed within the shipment, according to a press release from the department.
“While no longer a common drug being smuggled into the United States, this seizure of a large amount of marijuana illustrates that it indeed still generates income for smuggling organizations,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
The alleged marijuana has a street value of more than $291,000. CBP OFO seized the narcotics and vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.