US Authorities Seize Over US$15 Million in Meth in Four Days in South Texas Border Crossings

“Parro” and “MX” for Borderland Beat

Picture of the first drug seizure in Laredo, Texas, last week. This corridor is under the control of the Northeast Cartel (CDN), a splinter group of Los Zetas.

In a span of three days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized over US$15 million in methamphetamine from two border crossings along the Tamaulipas and Texas border.

First seizure

The enforcement action occurred on Thursday, March 25th, when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a tractor manifesting an industrial magnet arriving from Mexico.

The 2014 Ford F350 truck and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 104 packages containing 367.24 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $7,344,845.

“The level of methamphetamine abuse in the U.S. continues to rise,” said Acting Port Director Eugene Crawford, Laredo Port of Entry.

“Seizures like this one underscore the vital role that CBP officers play in advancing our overall national border security mission and protecting the public from illegal narcotics.”

CBP officers seized the narcotics. The case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

In seperate incident in Laredo that same day, CBP officers seized US$91,116 in cash at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, when officers assigned to outbound operations selected a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox traveling to Mexico for inspection.

A 30-year-old male United States citizen driver and 19-year-old female passenger were referred for a secondary examination. Upon physical inspection of the drivers’ clothing, packages containing large sums of cash were found.

Picture of the second drug seizure near McAllen. This corridor is under the control of the Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel (CDG).

Second seizure

On March 28, 2021, a tractor/trailer hauling a commercial shipment of fresh broccoli arrived from Mexico a the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility and a CBP officer referred the conveyance to the non-intrusive imaging (NII) system as part of a secondary examination.

Officers conducting a thorough secondary inspection were able to detect packages of alleged methamphetamine. CBP officers removed and seized 264 packages weighing 421 pounds (191 kg) of the drug and seized the tractor/trailer as well.

“This interception of dangerous drugs truly exemplifies the teamwork of our officers working at our cargo facility,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

“With the use of high-tech equipment such as our x-ray systems, our officers are able to detect anomalies within shipments and target those areas of interest, which can produce positive results such as this significant interdiction.”

The case remains under investigation by the HSI.

Sources: CBP (1); (2); (3)