Over $14M in meth hidden in shipment of bell peppers, cucumbers

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility seized over $14 million worth of alleged methamphetamine hidden within a shipment labeled as fresh bell peppers and cucumbers.

The agency's news release stated that on Friday, a tractor-trailer entered from Mexico and was referred for further inspection. After physical inspections and one non-intrusive inspection, a K-9 team detected and extracted 300 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 1,635.56 pounds concealed within the trailer.

Over $14 million of alleged methamphetamine was seized by USCBP field officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on April 11, 2025. Photo courtesy: USCBP

The total value of the narcotics was $14,620,900, according to USCBP.

“Our CBP officers continue to use all tools and resources to safeguard our borders by preventing these harmful narcotics from reaching America’s streets,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics and vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents began a criminal investigation.