LAREDO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at World Trade Bridge discovered a shipment of plastic serving ware mixed with an unusual ingredient, $628,000 in marijuana.
“This large seizure of marijuana illustrates the reality of the drug threat our officers face every day,” said Acting Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Our frontline officers availed themselves of all the high-tech tools and resources at their disposal and seized a significant load of narcotics.
The seizure occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer hauling a commercial shipment of plastic plates, cups and saucers for a secondary examination. A canine and non-intrusive inspection by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of 400 packages allegedly containing 3,139 pounds of marijuana hidden within the shipment. The marijuana carries an estimated street value of $628,000.
CBP officers seized the narcotics. CBP officers turned the case over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
