Overview
- CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge intercepted a tractor-trailer from Reynosa and found 721 packages totaling about 1,675.5 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed in a shipment manifested as fresh celery, a seizure CBP estimated at roughly $14.98 million.
- At the Roma Port of Entry, officers discovered 485.78 kilograms (about 1,071 pounds) of alleged methamphetamine hidden inside a laundry detergent shipment and turned the driver, truck, and narcotics over to the Roma Police Department for a criminal probe.
- Both seizures began after officers used nonintrusive imaging systems to detect anomalies, and secondary physical inspections confirmed the concealed narcotics, illustrating how scan technology and officer training were central to the interdictions.
- Federal authorities seized the narcotics and at least one tractor-trailer and said Homeland Security Investigations opened the Pharr case while local police lead the Roma investigation, though officials have provided limited public information about arrests or charges.
- The two August seizures add to a recent pattern of large meth interdictions at Texas commercial crossings, a trend that underscores traffickers’ use of high-volume cargo routes and could lead to stepped-up inspections and longer processing times for legitimate freight.