SANTA TERESA, N.M: The largest drug bust in 13 years was made Friday at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry when two tanker-trailers carrying nearly 5,000 pounds of marijuana were stopped, officials said here the other day.
A flatbed tractor-trailer hauling a shipment of two tankers was selected to be X-rayed around 1 p.m. Friday, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they noticed something odd about the tankers.
After drilling into the suspicious areas of the bottom of both trailers, officers found a green substance that tested positive for marijuana, officials said.
“This is the largest drug bust at Santa Teresa since Feb. 1, 2002, when a 5,263-pound marijuana seizure was made at the port,” said Steven Jameson, CBP Santa Teresa assistant port director. “Smugglers went to great lengths and spared no expense to create hidden compartments in their failed attempt to defeat the CBP process.”
Officers removed several bundles of compressed marijuana from hidden compartments in both tankers. A total of 4,938 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $3,950,400 was seized, officials said.
Authorities said no arrests were made and they are continuing their investigation into the seizure.