‘High Voltage’: Truck Driver Hauling Batteries Busted in Texas With $2.6 Million in Meth
The driver of a box truck hauling batteries was busted in Texas this week with a little something extra in his load: more than $2.6 million worth of meth.
The large drug seizure occurred on Nov. 14 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations officers, discovered the meth hidden in the shipment of batteries.
The bust happened when a CBP officer referred a box truck hauling a shipment of batteries for secondary inspection. Using a canine team and a non-intrusive inspection system examination, the officers discovered 40 packages containing a total of 291 pounds of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the shipment.
The CBP officers seized the narcotics, which had an estimated street value of $2,604,215. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are now investigating the incident.
“Our frontline CBP officers maintained strict vigilance and short-circuited a significant methamphetamine smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “These kinds of enforcement actions validate our ongoing border security efforts and prevent this poison from reaching U.S. streets.”
Laredo, Texas CBP officers also apprehended a man wanted since 1987
In addition to seizing millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs, CBP officers at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge also catch other criminals.
Case in point: on Nov. 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced officers encountered and apprehended a man wanted in the Dallas area for nearly four decades.
The man was a 70-year-old vehicle passenger seeking entry into the United States at the Laredo Port of Entry. He was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for an aggravated sex-related offense against a child.
Using biometric verification and law enforcement databases, the CBP officers confirmed the subject had an outstanding felony warrant issued by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office dating back to 1987.
“It was a long time coming, nearly 40 years, but CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry encountered and brought to justice a traveler wanted on a long-time outstanding warrant for a sex related offense against a child,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
