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Border Protection Agents Find $11.5 Million Worth Of Meth In Truck Delivering Fresh Produce

(Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Brianna Lyman News and Commentary Writer
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Texas inspected a cargo trailer carrying produce Sunday and found a massive stash of methamphetamine.

A tractor hauling a trailer filled with fresh mixed produce arrived Feb. 21 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Pharr, Texas, from Mexico, according to a CBP press release.

An agent sent the trailer for further inspection upon its arrival. During a non-intrusive imaging system examination, agents discovered 305 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing a whopping 575 pounds and worth approximately $11,500,000, according to CBP. (RELATED: ‘That’s Not Frosted Flakes’: Border Agents Seize ‘Cocaine-Soaked Cereal’ Potentially Worth $2,822400)

“This is a substantial amount of hard narcotics seized from drug trafficking organizations attempting to smuggle drugs across our border,” Port Director at the Hidalgo, Pharr and Anzalduas Port of Entries Carlos Rodriguez said in a statement. “This significant interception will keep drugs from reaching our communities.”

Workers load and unload boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables from trucks at the warehouse of Natoora, a fruit and vegetable distribution company, in south London on December 5, 2018. - Fruit and vegetable entrepreneur Franco Fubini knows all about the importance of goods arriving on time, as Brexit threatens to delay delivery of produce into and out of Britain. In an effort to prepare for a so-called hard Brexit following Britain's formal departure from the European Union on March 29, British companies are increasingly stating that they are preparing to stockpile items. While for some this is fairly straightforward, in the case of Fubini's company Natoora -- predominantly a wholesaler but also a shop retailer and food producer -- stockpiling fresh fruits and vegetables is not viable. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Workers load and unload boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables from trucks at the warehouse of Natoora, a fruit and vegetable distribution company, in south London on Dec. 5, 2018.  (DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

The drugs and tractor trailer were seized by authorities and the case is now under investigation from the Homeland Security Investigations, according to the press release.

CBP agents seized nearly half a million pounds of illegal drugs at the border in 2020 using non-intrusive imaging, according to the agency. Officials seized more marijuana, methamphetamine and fentanyl in 2020 than in 2019 using non-intrusive imaging, according to CBP.

The non-intrusive inspection technology allows officials to detect narcotics, weapons and other materials without having to actually physically go through the vehicle or container, according to CBP.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive narcotic that can cause stroke, convulsions and even death, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.