$634K in cocaine found hidden inside tractor at Texas border crossing
A tractor-trailer entered a major Texas cargo crossing before inspection equipment flagged something unusual. What officers found inside prompted a federal investigation. The post $634K in cocaine found hidden inside tractor at Texas border crossing appeared first on FreightWaves .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents uncovered $634,000 worth of suspected cocaine hidden within a commercial tractor at a Texas border crossing. The vehicle entered Pharr International Bridge from Reynosa, Mexico, on August 7th. CBP officers flagged the truck for secondary inspection after its initial pass through the cargo facility.
After further examination, 18 packages totaling 47.48 pounds were recovered. CBP employed nonintrusive inspection technology during the secondary check, which revealed anomalies within the tractor rather than its contents. Upon conducting a physical search, the agents extracted the suspected narcotics. Port Director Carlos Rodriguez noted that CBP officers successfully intercepted another load of hard narcotics.
The 21.54 kilograms of suspected cocaine were valued at approximately $634,000 by Federal agents. Homeland Security Investigations opened a criminal investigation into the case. The Pharr International Bridge is a significant commercial link between Texas and Mexico, handling thousands of tractor-trailers entering from Reynosa and other Mexican border towns each day.
While CBP did not disclose the specific cargo or the identities of the motor carrier or driver, secondary inspections continue to play a crucial role in deterring narcotics smuggling through this strategic border crossing.
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