$7.5M in marijuana seized from cotton candy shipment at Texas-Mexico border
LAREDO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $7.5 million in marijuana that was hidden in a shipment of cotton candy.
It happened on Jan. 14 at the the World Trade Bridge, according to a statement from Laredo Field Office officials.
"World Trade Bridge officers have maintained a robust enforcement posture and seized this significant marijuana load in the cargo environment," said Port Director Albert Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.
A search of the trailer by a K-9 team and non-intrusive inspection systems led to the discovery of the narcotics.
CBP officers seized a total of 3,373.51 pounds of marijuana within the shipment.
Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure, officials stated.
A day before the drugs were seized, on Jan. 13, officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry arrested a woman on federal immigration charges for allegedly presenting a U.S. birth certificate for a child that wasn't hers.
Mother Lode: @DFOLaredo @CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry seize $931K in unreported currency during outbound inspection. @HSI_SanAntonio special agents arrested the driver. Read more here: https://t.co/Xno9ZsnM71 pic.twitter.com/5FUeC3YKvU
— CBP South Texas (@CBPSouthTexas) January 11, 2023
And two days before the woman was arrested, on Jan. 11, CBP officers assigned to the Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge seized more than $930,000 in undeclared currency being smuggled from Texas into Mexico.