ROMA, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a tractor-trailer carrying laundry detergent at the Roma International Bridge on Aug. 11, federal authorities said Friday.
CBP officers used a nonintrusive imaging system to detect anomalies in the shipment as the 2012 tractor-trailer crossed the bridge from Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas, into Roma, Texas.
A subsequent inspection uncovered 240 packages containing about 485.78 kilograms, or 1,070 pounds, of methamphetamine. CBP estimated the drugs had a street value of $9.57 million.
Officers turned over the seized drugs, tractor-trailer and driver to the Roma Police Department, which is continuing the investigation.
The seizure follows several major methamphetamine discoveries at South Texas ports of entry in recent months.
On June 15, CBP officers seized about 1,100 pounds of methamphetamine valued at roughly $10 million from a Volvo at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo.
Four days later, officers at the same bridge discovered more than 7,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a Dodge Ram. Authorities also seized about 1,000 pounds of drugs from a tractor-trailer at the Pharr International Bridge between Pharr and Reynosa on June 19.
CBP has not disclosed whether the latest seizure has resulted in criminal charges against the driver.
The Roma International Bridge connects Roma with Ciudad Miguel Alemán in Mexico’s Tamaulipas state. Roma sits about 55 miles west of McAllen.