South Texas ports of entry saw a wave of major narcotics seizures over the past several weeks, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepting drugs worth more than $32 million combined across Laredo, Pharr, and Roma, according to a series of releases from the agency.
Laredo: $2.5 Million in Meth Hidden in an SUV
CBP officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge seized more than $2.5 million in methamphetamine on Tuesday, August 25. A CBP officer referred a 2011 Honda CR-V for secondary inspection after a canine alerted during primary screening, and officers found 280.47 pounds of alleged meth concealed within the vehicle. The narcotics carried an estimated street value of $2,579,003. Laredo Port Director Albert Flores said the seizure underscores the vigilance of CBP officers and the critical role of canine operations in keeping dangerous narcotics out of communities.
Laredo: Nearly $3 Million in Cocaine Across Two Truck Inspections
Just days later, CBP officers at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge and World Trade Bridge seized narcotics totaling over $2,960,000. The first seizure happened August 21 at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge, where officers found 80.68 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden in a Volvo tractor-trailer, valued at $1,077,357. The second came August 24 at the World Trade Bridge, when a 2007 Freightliner tractor manifesting a shipment of car parts turned out to be hiding 141.53 pounds of alleged cocaine, worth $1,889,791. Combined, the two loads carried a street value of $2,967,148. Port Director Alberto Flores said the seizures reflect officers’ training, technology, and canine resources working together to stop dangerous narcotics before they reach American communities.
Pharr: $634,000 in Cocaine Hidden in a Tractor-Trailer
At the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, CBP officers intercepted $634,000 worth of alleged cocaine on August 7. A tractor-trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico, was referred to secondary inspection after nonintrusive imaging equipment flagged anomalies, and a physical search turned up 18 packages of cocaine weighing 47.48 pounds. Port Director Carlos Rodriguez credited officers’ continued skill and expertise in intercepting the load.
Pharr: Nearly $15 Million in Meth Concealed in Celery
On August 15, CBP officers at the same Pharr cargo facility intercepted a far larger load, nearly $15 million in alleged methamphetamine hidden inside a shipment manifested as fresh celery. Officers discovered 721 packages weighing a combined 1,675.51 pounds after nonintrusive inspection revealed anomalies in the shipment. Rodriguez said the seizure reflects officers’ intuition paired with sophisticated scanning technology, creating what he called a formidable defense against smuggling attempts.
Pharr: $10.75 Million in Meth Disguised as Leeks
Just one week later, on August 22, officers at Pharr intercepted another major load, this time $10.75 million in alleged methamphetamine concealed in a shipment supposedly containing leeks. A K-9 alert combined with a nonintrusive inspection scan led officers to 395 packages weighing 1,204.82 pounds hidden within the trailer.
Roma: Over 1,000 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Detergent
At the Roma Port of Entry, CBP officers seized more than $9.5 million in methamphetamine on August 11, after a 2012 tractor-trailer hauling laundry detergent was referred for further inspection. A nonintrusive imaging scan revealed anomalies in the shipment, and a physical search uncovered 240 packages weighing roughly 1,071 pounds. Roma Port Director Andres Guerra said the seizure reflects officers’ ongoing dedication, vigilance, and professionalism in keeping communities and the country safe. CBP turned the narcotics, tractor-trailer, and driver over to the Roma Police Department, which opened its own criminal investigation.
A Pattern Across the Valley and Laredo Sector
Taken together, these six seizures, spanning less than a month, highlight just how heavily South Texas border crossings continue to be targeted by drug trafficking organizations attempting to move narcotics north concealed inside legitimate commercial shipments of produce, household goods, and vehicle parts. In each case, CBP seized the narcotics along with the vehicles involved, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents have opened or are continuing criminal investigations into the seizures.
