PHARR, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that officers seized more than $3.7 million worth of suspected cocaine, hidden inside a commercial tractor-trailer carrying a shipment of cucumbers in South Texas last Wednesday.
Over $3.7M in cocaine found
What we know:
The seizure occurred June 24 after officers referred the truck to a secondary inspection at the Hidalgo Port of Entry. According to CBP, a canine inspection alerted officers to the trailer, and a nonintrusive imaging scan revealed anomalies.
During a physical inspection, officers found 112 packages containing about 126.5 kilograms (278.9 pounds) of suspected cocaine concealed inside the trailer. CBP estimated the street value of the drugs at $3,723,654. Officers seized the suspected cocaine, the tractor and the trailer. Homeland Security Investigations has opened a criminal investigation.
Arrest details remain unreleased
What they're saying:
"The threat of illicit narcotics is constant, but so is our vigilance," Hidalgo Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said in a statement. "This interception is a powerful reminder that our CBP officers are on duty 24/7, employing every resource to detect and deter those who attempt to exploit our borders."
Authorities did not release the identity of the driver or announce any arrests in the statement.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.