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  4. CBP Field Operations Seizes 1.5 Tons of Marijuana at Pharr International Bridge

CBP Field Operations Seizes 1.5 Tons of Marijuana at Pharr International Bridge

Release Date
Tue, 02/26/2019

PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility seized $587,000 worth of marijuana in two separate, unrelated incidents this past week.

CBP officers discover marijuana bundles hidden within a commercial shipment of avocados at Pharr International Bridge
CBP officers discover bundles of marijuana
hidden within a commercial shipment of
avocados at Pharr International Bridge.

“Marijuana is being intercepted in large quantities in this region both at and in between the ports of entry,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. ”CBP officers at our port and throughout the Laredo Field Office are encountering and seizing colossal loads of marijuana.”

CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on Feb. 19 referred an empty tractor/trailer arriving from Mexico for further examination. The meticulous inspection resulted in the discovery of 343 packages weighing 818 pounds (371 kg) of alleged marijuana hidden within the trailer.

Days later, on Feb. 22, a commercial shipment of fresh avocados arrived at the same cargo facility and after a thorough inspection utilizing all available tools and resources, CBP officers discovered 421 packages of alleged marijuana. This interception totaled 2,119 pounds (961 kg) of marijuana worth $424,000.

CBP OFO utilized canine teams and non-intrusive imaging technology (NII) along with officer expertise in the discovery of these seizures.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the investigative agency on these cases.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021