Texas CBP Seizes $15M in Meth Hidden in Carrots, Weapons Cache

PHARR, TX — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted more than $15 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a carrot shipment at the Pharr International Bridge and seized 12 firearms and 28 magazines in a separate case at the El Paso port earlier this month.

On July 10, CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered 311 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 1,706.37 pounds (774 kilograms) concealed within a commercial tractor trailer hauling carrots from Mexico. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $15,690,528.

"This second large load of methamphetamine in the last four days underscores the serious nature of the drug threat we face and the effectiveness of officer experience, inspection techniques, and technology to prevent these loads from moving further north and poisoning our communities," said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations has launched a criminal investigation.

Meanwhile, CBP officers performing southbound inspections at the Bridge of the Americas crossing in El Paso on July 3 seized 12 firearms, 28 magazines, rifle optics, buttstocks and a handgun lower receiver hidden in the doors of a 2025 Volkswagen Virtus driven by a 33-year-old Mexican woman. Officers conducted an x-ray examination that revealed anomalies leading to the discovery of the weapons.

“The intermittent pulse and surge southbound operations that CBP officers perform at area ports will often identify individuals attempting to smuggle weapons, ammunition, unreported currency and other violations,” said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations. “These important enforcement actions play a significant role in helping keep our border communities safer.”

The driver in the El Paso case was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.