Last week, US Customs and Border Protection officers and the Office of Field Operations discovered a “colossal” amount of cocaine worth nearly $12 million.
According to a CBP news release issued Monday, the drugs were discovered inside a 2016 Stoughton trailer at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge last Friday. The bridge connects Texas to the Mexican state of Nuevo Laredo and is located in the city of Laredo.
When the trailer, which was said to be carrying baby wipes, was subjected to a second inspection, authorities discovered the narcotics. Officers found 1,935 packages of cocaine weighing 1,532.65 pounds during the “canine and non-intrusive” search. The drugs, packaged to look like wipes, have an estimated street value of $11,818,400, according to the release.
Port of Entry Director Alberto Flores said in a statement.
“Officers assigned to CBP cargo facilities ensure effective border security by preventing and countering the flow of suspected narcotics entering the country,”
“This seizure is a prime example of border security management and how it helps prevent dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities,” he added.
On Twitter, CBP Director of Field Operations Randy Howe described the incident as a “colossal, record-setting seizure.”
“I am extremely proud of our @CBP employees for ensuring the safety of our communities,” he said.
CBP seized the shipment, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security officers are now investigating.
The CBP did not respond immediately to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
