Laredo Officers Seize Methamphetamine Worth Over $18 Million in Street Value

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the World Trade Bridge and Colombia-Solidarity Bridge seized methamphetamine worth an estimated $18 million in two separate enforcement actions over the weekend.

“The upsurge of methamphetamine trafficking has become a serious international health and security threat,” said Acting Port Director Andrew Douglas, Laredo Port of Entry. “These seizures validate CBP’s commitment in securing our borders and protecting our communities from this persistent drug threat.”

The first enforcement action occurred on Friday, August 7th when CBP officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge intercepted a tractor manifesting handcrafted cobblestone. The 2019 Kenworth tractor and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 336 packages containing 763.32 pounds of alleged methamphetamine discovered within the consignment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $15,266,414.

The second seizure occurred on Saturday, August 8th when officers assigned to the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge cargo facility encountered a vehicle carrying an informal shipment of auto equipment to primary officers. The 2003 Ford F-250 truck and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 139.24 pounds of alleged methamphetamine discovered within the shipment. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $2,784,850.

The narcotics combined have an estimated street value of $18,051,264.

CBP officers seized the narcotics.  The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.