Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. CBP Detects Over One Ton of Marijuana at the Pharr International Bridge

CBP Detects Over One Ton of Marijuana at the Pharr International Bridge

Release Date
Wed, 01/13/2016

PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted 2,493 pounds of alleged marijuana that was concealed within a commercial shipment of fresh carrots.

Marijuana hidden in a carrot-like package, part of a total of 2,493 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge in a carrot shipment

Marijuana hidden in a carrot-like package, part of a total of 2,493 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge in a carrot shipment

“Once again, drug smuggling organizations have demonstrated their creativity in attempting to smuggle large quantities of narcotics across the U.S./Mexico border,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Our officers are always ready to meet those challenges and remain vigilant towards any type of illicit activities.”

On Jan. 10, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor/trailer with a commercial shipment of fresh carrots arriving from Mexico. After referring the conveyance for a vehicle non-intrusive imaging inspection, CBP officers conducted a secondary inspection on the enforcement dock, which included assistance from a canine team. The examination revealed packages of suspected narcotics hidden within the bags of carrots. Officers removed and seized a total of 2,817 carrot-shaped packages of alleged marijuana which carry an estimated street value of $499,000.

This case is currently under the investigation of agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021