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CBP Seizes $13 Million in Meth Hidden in Soda Truck as Texas Port Busts Mount

Homeland Security Investigations has opened criminal cases stemming from CBP referrals at multiple ports.

Overview

  • On Sept. 22 at the Roma port, officers using non-intrusive inspection technology and a canine team found 668 kilos (1,473 lb) of meth concealed in a soda shipment, worth about $13.17 million, and HSI launched a criminal probe.
  • A Sept. 21 stop at Laredo’s Juárez–Lincoln Bridge led to the detention of a 31-year-old U.S. citizen after eight packages totaling 6.5 kilos of heroin and 24 bundles of two kilos each of meth were discovered in a 2014 Dodge Ram, valued at $405,165.
  • In Brownsville, officers uncovered 42 packages of meth weighing 18.79 kilos hidden in a 2014 Ford Explorer driven by a 43-year-old Mexican national, with an estimated street value of $840,679, and HSI assumed the investigation.
  • CBP reported Sept. 19–21 operations across Texas ports that netted about $3.724 million in narcotics, with port officials crediting primary-to-secondary referrals, canine units and inspection technology for the interdictions.
  • Also on Sept. 22 at the Del Rio International Bridge, agents found roughly 6.8 kilos of suspected cocaine hidden inside obsidian figurines in a Chevrolet Silverado, valued at $201,931, and Texas DPS took the driver and two passengers into custody.