U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers made a startling discovery at the Texas border when they seized wheels of cheese filled with cocaine. The incident occurred at the Presidio Port of entry when officials encountered a pickup truck transporting four large wheels of cheese from Mexico. Suspicious of the contents, customs officials conducted an X-ray scan which revealed anomalies. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that 17.8 pounds of cocaine were concealed inside the cheese wheels. The drugs and the truck were seized, and the 22-year-old driver, a U.S. citizen who had legally declared the cheese, will face charges for the failed smuggling attempt.
Daniel Mercado, the director of Customs and Border Protection at the Presidio Port, commended the thorough and extensive inspection performed by CBP officers, stating, “Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion.” This seizure of an unusual drug load prevented it from reaching its intended destination.
This incident is just one example of smugglers resorting to bizarre methods to transport drugs into the United States. Customs and Border Protection has encountered drugs hidden in everyday objects such as car batteries, gas tanks, and even drones. In recent cases, officers in El Paso seized 146 pounds of cocaine hidden in an ice cream maker, and officials at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport found $450,000 worth of cocaine concealed inside the wheels of a woman’s wheelchair.
According to Customs and Border Protection, the combined weight of seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana increased by 7% from May to June. To combat the issue, the agency is ramping up efforts to disrupt the movement of drugs into the United States by surging resources to points of entry, where drugs are often smuggled in through vehicles. As part of a new operation launched in June, officials have already seized over 1,500 pounds of fentanyl and more than 23,000 pounds of other narcotics like cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin.
The seizure of cocaine-filled cheese wheels serves as a reminder of the persistent and creative methods used by smugglers to transport drugs. The diligence and vigilance of Customs and Border Protection officers are crucial in safeguarding the country from the influx of illegal substances.