Cocaine Bust Worth $600K Found At Texas-Mexico Border Disguised As Juice Shipment
The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said officials in Laredo, Texas, seized over $600,000 worth of alleged cocaine stashed in the tires of a 1997 Freightliner trailer meant to be carrying juice.
The truck was sent for a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination on July 7 at Texas World Trade Bridge. This led to 38 packages containing 87 pounds of the alleged cocaine being discovered with an estimated street value of $671,160, CBP said in a press release.
“Our CBP officers’ knowledge of concealment methods and technology played a key role in the discovery of these illicit narcotics,” said Alberto Flores, the Port Director for Laredo Port of Entry.
“We remain committed to ensuring our cargo system remains secure while facilitating lawful commerce," Flores said.
CBP officials seized the narcotics and the tractor. The seizure is also being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations.
Using food shipments to hide drugs is a common way for smugglers to move products into another country. In November, there was $44 million worth of cocaine found in a shipment of onion rings that was traveling from France to the U.K.
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