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U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been busy this year. Here is a countdown of 10 of the largest drug smuggling busts of 2023.
While not reaching records set in 2020-2021 we're seeing some significant drug smuggling attempts at our borders this year. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been busy thwarting these shipments and keeping millions of dollars worth of drugs off of American streets.
We've got a countdown of 2023's most audacious drug trafficking attempts.
10. Â Peace Bridge, Buffalo, New York
Drugs were concealed in a tractor-trailer loaded with frozen waffles.
9. Calexico East Cargo Facility, Calexico, California
CBP officers encountered a truck and trailer with a shipment declared as watermelons. During an intensive examination, a CBP canine alerted officers to the shipment. They discovered 22 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden within plastic pallets.
8. Cargo Facility, Tecate, California
CBP officers found cocaine concealed within decorative rocks, hidden in a plaster-like material designed to appear like stones.
7. Pharr International Bridge cargo facility, Pharr, Texas
Methamphetamine was discovered concealed within a shipment of mixed vegetables.
6. Â Calexico Port of Entry, Calexico, California
Methamphetamine was found concealed within a shipment of radishes.
5. Pharr International Bridge, Pharr, Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered the alleged methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of charcoal.
4. World Trade Bridge, Laredo, Texas
Marijuana was found within a shipment of cotton candy following a canine and non-intrusive inspection.
3. Colombia-Solidarity Bridge, Laredo, Texas
A shipment of plaster was found to contain methamphetamine. The discovery was made after a canine and non-intrusive inspection revealed inconsistencies.
2. Otay Mesa port of entry, Otay Mesa, California
CBP officers found 3,520,000 fentanyl pills hidden within a shipment of green beans. The narcotics were detected during an intensive agriculture inspection, and a detector dog alerted officers to the presence of drugs.
1. Otay Mesa Cargo Facility, Otay Mesa, California
Drugs were concealed within a shipment of kale. CBP officers discovered 268 packages hidden within the shipment of kale after observing irregularities during a non-intrusive inspection.
Otay Mesa port of entry, Otay Mesa, California
The fentanyl pills were concealed within a shipment of green beans. A total of 308 packages were extracted after CBP officers noticed irregularities during a non-intrusive inspection and subsequent alert by a detector dog.
I-55 near Springfield, Illinois
Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron, Michigan
Source: CBP
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