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  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $500K in Marijuana at the Pharr International Bridge

CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $500K in Marijuana at the Pharr International Bridge

Release Date
Wed, 12/09/2015

PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted a load of alleged marijuana worth $479,000 that was concealed within a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes.

Photo of a marijuana package within a box of tomatoes

A marijuana package is visible within a box of tomatoes. CBP officers at Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge seized 2,394 pounds of marijuana hidden within a commercial shipment of tomatoes.

“Drug trafficking organizations utilize a wide variety of techniques to smuggle narcotics in commercial shipments, as has been encountered lately at our cargo facility in Pharr, Texas,” said Acting Port Director Javier Cantu, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “It is imperative that our officers continue to keep abreast of these ever-changing techniques and help keep drugs from crossing our border.”

On Dec. 7, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility referred a commercial shipment of fresh tomatoes for further secondary inspection. With the use of all available tools and resources, officers discovered packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the boxes of tomatoes. Officers removed and seized a total of 499 packages of alleged marijuana weighing approximately 2,394 pounds.

The case remains under the investigation of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021