Border Bust: $10.3M Meth Discovered in Lettuce Shipment
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Texas-Mexico border recently intercepted a substantial shipment of methamphetamine, valued at approximately $10.3 million, cleverly concealed within a load of lettuce. The massive drug seizure occurred on a recent Friday at the Pharr International Bridge, a key commercial crossing point over the Rio Grande.
According to a CBP press release, the illicit cargo comprised 500 packages containing about 1,153 pounds of methamphetamine. Officials humorously described the seized drugs and greens as “a salad unfit for this year’s Thanksgiving table,” highlighting the unusual nature of the concealment.
A “Salad Unfit for Thanksgiving”
The commercial vehicle carrying the contraband was stopped as it attempted to enter Texas from Mexico. Carlos Rodriguez, the port director, emphasized the diligence of frontline officers in uncovering the hidden narcotics. “Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” Rodriguez stated. He further underscored the effectiveness of law enforcement tools and technology, noting, “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology were instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”
This significant interdiction comes amidst ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the country. During the Trump administration, a campaign of military strikes was initiated against suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, aiming to sever supply lines for illicit substances.
Recent High-Profile Narcotics Interdictions
The Pharr lettuce bust is one in a series of sophisticated smuggling attempts thwarted by border agents and law enforcement. In August 2019, a massive two-ton haul of crystal methamphetamine was discovered at the San Diego, California, port of Otay. In that incident, approximately 1,220 packages designed to resemble bright green watermelons were found hidden among a shipment of real watermelons.
This San Diego seizure amounted to 4,587 pounds of meth, with an estimated street value of $5 million. The discovery was made after a truck driven by a 29-year-old man was flagged for a secondary inspection. Rosa Hernandez, the port director at the time, commented on the evolving tactics of drug cartels. “As drug cartels continue to evolve their smuggling techniques, we will continue finding new and better ways to prevent these dangerous drugs and other contraband from entering the country,” Hernandez affirmed.
Prior to the San Diego bust, agents with the Atlanta division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had made another substantial seizure on August 8. This operation uncovered over 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at $3.2 million, concealed within boxes of celery at a state farmers market in Forest Park, Georgia. These incidents collectively underscore the persistent efforts by criminal organizations to smuggle narcotics and the relentless work of law enforcement agencies to intercept them.
Source: The Guardian
