LAREDO, Texas — Officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized narcotics worth more than $53 million at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas, on Friday.
According to a news release, the drugs were found concealed in a shipment of fresh cauliflower arriving from Mexico.
Further inspection of the 2013 Kenworth tractor, however, revealed 412 packages containing slightly more than 2,611 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 50 packages containing more than 113 pounds of suspected cocaine, the agency stated.
The estimated street value of the haul totaled more than $53 million.
Alberto Flores, director of the Laredo Port of Entry, said that Friday’s seizure represents the latest in an uptick of contraband smuggling attempts through “commercial supply chains.”
“(Customs and Border Protection’s) continued robust enforcement posture and dedication to border security operations has led us to major narcotic interdictions at our cargo facilities,” Flores stated.
The agency seized the narcotics before handing over the investigation to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents.