U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Craig Barritt/Getty Images
(FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) - A truck driver hauling frozen strawberries from Mexico into the United States is in custody after customs officers at a Texas port discovered nearly $13 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in the trailer.
“This was an outstanding interception our officers accomplished this weekend,” Port Director David Gonzalez said in a written statement. “Our officers’ astute sense of awareness and tenacity is unparalleled and truly commendable."
The major drug bust occurred on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility. Customs and Border Protection officers said they encountered a 42-year-old male Mexican citizen with a commercial shipment of frozen strawberries arriving from Mexico.
CBP referred the shipment for further inspection and with the use of all available tools and resources, officers discovered 350 packages of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the trailer. CBP OFO seized 906 pounds of methamphetamine along with the tractor/trailer.
The seized methamphetamine is worth about $12,700,000 CBP said.
"This seizure was accomplished with the utilization of non-intrusive imaging equipment along with assistance from CBP canine teams," CBP said in a written statement.
CBP OFO arrested the man involved in the seizure and released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further investigation.