Border Patrol seizes meth worth $2.5M in Texas, details complex drug concealment tactics in Ohio

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized methamphetamine with a street value of more than $2.5 million Saturday at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo, Texas.

The seizure occurred after a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, driven by a 24-year old female U.S. citizen traveling from Mexico, was referred for a secondary inspection, according to a news release.

Officers discovered a total of nearly 127 pounds of suspected methamphetamine “within the vehicle,” resulting in the driver’s arrest. The narcotics and vehicle were seized, and the case has been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation, the release stated.

Meanwhile, CBP officers stationed at the Port of Cincinnati seized four separate shipments over the course of six days in late February and early March in which smugglers unsuccessfully attempted to conceal cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and undeclared U.S. currency via unique methods.

The first Cincinnati seizure on Feb. 23 intercepted cocaine packed inside compartments below the nonstick lining of pans in a cookware shipment en route to Australia from Canada.

The second seizure occurred Feb. 25, when CBP officers determined a shipment bound for Longview, Texas, from Mexico that was labeled as injectable equine medication was actually liquid methamphetamine.

The following day, inspection of a toy shipment en route to Houston from Mexico revealed $15,000 in undeclared U.S. currency “secured behind an action figure,” according to a news release.

Meanwhile, officers discovered both methamphetamine and marijuana packed inside air pumps and speakers in a shipment coming from Mexico and headed to Austin, Texas, on March 1.

“When toy action figures hold mantis egg cases or undeclared U.S. currency, horse medications turn out to be liquid methamphetamine, air pumps and speakers contain methamphetamine and marijuana, honey is spiked with Cialis and Viagra and cocaine can be found coating cereal flakes or hidden inside cookware, officers learn to think creatively about the many ways smugglers try to evade inspection,” Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie stated in the release.


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