$500K in Marijuana Seized in Tomato Shipment at the Pharr International Bridge
PHARR, TX – Border protection officers seized nearly half a million dollars worth of marijuana hidden within a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes on Monday, December 7.
A total of 499 packages of the narcotics were discovered when CBP officers intercepted the load at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, according to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Weighing approximately 2,394 pounds, the drugs were valued at $479,000, or about $200 per pound.
“Drug trafficking organizations utilize a wide variety of techniques to smuggle narcotics in commercial shipments, as has been encountered lately at our cargo facility in Pharr, Texas,” said Acting Port Director, Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “It is imperative that our officers continue to keep abreast of these ever-changing techniques and help keep drugs from crossing our border.”
Homeland Security Investigation agents are currently examining the case.
