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Philadelphia CBP, HSI Discover 614 Pounds of Marijuana Concealed inside a Shipping Container

Release Date
Tue, 03/12/2019

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized nearly 614 pounds of marijuana in Philadelphia Thursday night that was concealed inside a shipping container.

CBP officers discovered 614 pounds of marijuana concealed in the bottom of a shipping container.
CBP officers discovered bundles of
marijuana concealed in the bottom of
a shipping container.

While examining a shipping container that arrived from Puerto Rico, CBP officers discovered anomalies concealed inside the container floor and a narcotics detector dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. CBP officers extracted one bundle that contained a green leafy substance. That substance tested positive for marijuana.

HSI special agents arrived on scene and assisted CBP officers in extracting the remaining marijuana bundles.

Combined, authorities extracted 252 bricks, which weighed a combined 278.49 kilograms, or 613 pounds, 15 ounces. The marijuana, which has been locked in CBP’s seizure vault, has a street value of approximately $2.5 million. The marijuana will be destroyed.

The case was turned over to HSI special agents for further investigation.

“This is one of the largest seizures of marijuana that Customs and Border Protection officers have encountered in the Area Port of Philadelphia,” said Casey Durst, CBP’s Director of Field Operations in Baltimore.  “This is an outstanding example of how CBP keeps our communities safe from illegal drugs.”

The container contained a shipment of rice that was destined to an address in North Jersey.

CBP officers seized 614 pounds of marijuana in Philadelphia March 7, 2019.
CBP officers seized 614 pounds of
marijuana in Philadelphia March 7, 2019.

CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality. 

On average, CBP seized 4,657 pounds of narcotics every day across the United States. Learn about what CBP accomplished during "A Typical Day" in 2018.

CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations.  Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.

Learn more about CBP at CBP.gov.

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