$1 million of drugs found in fresh produce shipment

Author: 
beckman@theproducenews.com (press release)
Date: 
Monday, 26 November 2018 - 5:01am

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility arrested a 30-year-old man from Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, after discovering $953,000 worth of methamphetamine and cocaine within a commercial shipment of fresh produce in truck he was driving.

“I commend our officers assigned to the cargo facility for their vigilance and continued efforts in processing legitimate trade and simultaneously having an enforcement mindset, which resulted in the discovery of these hard narcotics,” said Port Director David Gonzalez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on Nov. 19 encountered a Mexican truck driver with the commercial shipment of fresh produce arriving from Mexico. The shipment was selected for further inspection, which included utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system, and ultimately, officers discovered 10 packages of alleged methamphetamine and five packages of alleged cocaine. The methamphetamine weighed 43 pounds valued at $859,500 and the cocaine weighed 12.13 pounds with a street value of $93,500.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics, the tractor and arrested the driver who was then turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further investigation.

About D. Otani Produce

In business since 1989, D. Otani Produce, Inc. has grown into one of Hawaii’s largest produce wholesalers, enjoying business with hotels, restaurants, local business institutions. We are also a major distributor to Hawaii’s retailers.

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D. Otani Produce
1321 Hart St
Honolulu, HI 96817

Phone: (808) 509-8350

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