2,100 pounds of meth found in unlikely shipment at Texas-Mexico border, officials say

A routine inspection of a semi crossing the border from Mexico to Texas uncovered a massive shipment of meth, officials say.

The meth — 1,859 packages of it — was found Nov. 10 inside a shipment of serrano peppers at the cargo facility at the Pharr International Bridge, according to a Nov. 12 U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

The meth weighed more than a ton, 2,155.02 pounds to be exact, and has an estimated street value of more than $31 million, border officials said.

Authorities said the drugs and semi were seized. An investigation was launched by the Department of Homeland Security.

Information about the accused smuggler was not provided.

“Our CBP officers continue to remain vigilant and intercepted this massive methamphetamine load, preventing it from reaching American streets,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said in the release.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the majority of meth in the United States is produced by criminal organizations in Mexico.

This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 1:44 PM with the headline "2,100 pounds of meth found in unlikely shipment at Texas-Mexico border, officials say."