Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in Pharr, Texas have intercepted US$600,092 worth of alleged marijuana hidden in a commercial watermelon shipment coming from Mexico. 

CBP reports 3,000 pounds of alleged the illicit substance were found at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility.

"Smugglers continue to be creative as they attempt to introduce illegal narcotics into our country,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr from the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

"Our frontline CBP officers’ experience, vigilance and attention to detail prevents the introduction of these dangerous drugs into our country."

The seizure occurred on Jan. 17 when officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a white 1993 Thermo King tractor trailer.

After the conveyance was referred for a secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive imagining (NII) system along with the help of a canine team to locate the narcotics.

CBP officers extracted 390 packages of the drug. 

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