Rio Grande City, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Rio Grande City International Bridge discovered a large amount of alleged marijuana valued at approximately $1,296,300 concealed within a commercial shipment of chile peppers.
“Our frontline CBP officers stopped this large load of alleged marijuana because of their vigilance and dedication. I congratulate our officers for an outstanding job with this seizure,” said Port Director Severiano Solis, Rio Grande City Port of Entry.
Crates of chile peppers commingled with 1,296 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at Rio Grande City Port of Entry.
On Oct. 2, CBP officers at the Rio Grande City International Bridge commercial importation lot came in contact with a 2003 Kenworth single cab tractor hauling a trailer with a shipment of assorted chile peppers. Examination by CBP officers in secondary revealed 205 packages commingled with the shipment of chile peppers. CBP officers removed the packages from within the crates which had a combined total weight of 1,296.3 pounds of alleged marijuana.
The alleged marijuana from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $1,296,300. CBP officers turned the case over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics, the tractor and trailer.
CBP's Rio Grande City Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.