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CBP Finds Meth Masquerading as Food

Release Date
Wed, 10/31/2018

Over 66 pounds pulled from canned goods

HOUSTON - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists and officers inspecting cargo shipments discovered an unusual surprise hidden within food items at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Oct. 30.

CBP officers and agriculture specialists discovered methamphetamine hidden with a mole sauce container
CBP officers and agriculture specialists
at Houston Intercontinental Airport
discovered 66 pounds of methamphetamine
within cans and containers of mole,
hominy and tomato puree.

CBP officers seized 66.3 pounds of methamphetamine valued at over $225,000 that was discovered within canned items of hominy, tomato puree, and mole in a shipment arriving from Mexico and destined for Houston.

It was during a regularly scheduled examination of the arriving cargo, that a CBP agriculture specialist took notice of an irregular weight distribution of a single can of tomato puree. He turned the item over to a CBP officer for further examination.

When CBP officers opened the canned item, they found an odd colored liquid substance that began crystalizing. Testing indicated a positive result for methamphetamines.

“This particular seizure illustrates how well trained, experienced and committed to our mission that our CBP agriculture specialists are,” said Houston Area Port Director Raymond S. Polley.  “His attention to detail resulted in the prevention of over 66 pounds of methamphetamines from ending up in the hands of our community.”

CBP agriculture specialists typically have biological sciences degree which they use in their critical role of preventing harmful exotic plant pests and foreign animal diseases and potential ag/bio-terrorism into the U.S.

On a typical day in fiscal year 2017, CBP seized 5,863 pounds of narcotics and disrupted 222 pounds of narcotics.

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