Over $18 Million Worth of Meth Found Hidden Inside Commercial Trailer

Border officials stationed in Texas recently seized over $18 million of alleged methamphetamine that was found hidden within a commercial trailer.

In a press release issued over this past weekend, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said that the incident occurred on Tuesday, February 15, at the Pharr International Bridge. The bridge is located near the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to data from CBP, throughout the month of January, the agency seized over 48,000 pounds of alleged narcotics, across more than 6,000 drug seizure events. From October to January, the data shows that over 234,000 pounds of alleged narcotics have been seized.

Officials working at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a commercial tractor trailer traveling into the U.S. from Mexico, the press release said.

According to CBP, while the commercial trailer was attempting to gain entry into the U.S., it was referred for additional inspection. During the secondary inspection, CBP officials used non-intrusive imaging technology and a canine unit that is trained to smell narcotics.

"After physically inspecting the conveyance, officers extracted 1,348.83 pounds (611.82 kg) of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the trailer," CBP said in the press release.

Shortly after the discovery, CBP officers seized the narcotics and the tractor trailer that was carrying them. The driver of the trailer was not identified by CBP, but the press release said that the case remains "under investigation by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI)."

According to CBP, the alleged meth that was seized during the incident was worth approximately $18,800,000. A photo posted to Twitter by CBP South Texas showed dozens of boxes that contained the alleged narcotic.

"This massive methamphetamine smuggling attempt was stopped, thanks to our vigilant officers who continue to work as a team and use all available tools and resources to their full potential," Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry said in a press release.

Newsweek was directed to the press release after reaching out to CBP for further comment.

Over the past several months, CBP officials working along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and other southern states have made several similar seizures.

Last week, CBP officials working the Port of Lukeville in Arizona seized more than $4 million worth of meth and fentanyl found hidden inside an RV's AC unit. The driver of the RV, who was not identified by police, was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations custody.

In January, CBP officers in Texas intercepted over $1.5 million worth of meth and fentanyl across three different incidents.