Texas Border Patrol Agents Seize Large Shipment of Marijuana Hidden in Carrots

Texas border agents seized large quantities of marijuana hidden inside a shipment of carrots Sunday, authorities said.

U.S. border officials stationed in the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility intercepted a tractor-trailer that appeared to be shuttling bundles of fresh carrots to the U.S. from Mexico, a news release stated Wednesday.

Image source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Agents summoned a canine unit to examine the shipment after performing an image scan of the produce. A second examination revealed 2,817 carrot-shaped packages of marijuana, wrapped in orange tape. Officials estimated the street value to be approximately $499,000.

“Once again, drug smuggling organizations have demonstrated their creativity in attempting to smuggle large quantities of narcotics across the U.S./Mexico border,” Port Director Efrain Solis Jr. said. “Our officers are always ready to meet those challenges and remain vigilant towards any type of illicit activities.”

As of Wednesday, the case was still under investigation by agents with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported.

According to the New York Daily News, officials intercepted drug smugglers at the same bridge Dec. 2 gathering more than $1 million of drugs that were disguised as carrots and cucumbers.