PRESIDIO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found 17.8 pounds of cocaine hidden in wheels of cheese while working at the Presidio port of entry.
The cocaine was found on July 20, when a pick-up truck which arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes was referred for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers found four wheels of cheese that had been declared by the driver.
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The cheese wheels were examined and scanned by an x-ray system which revealed anomalies inside. CBP officers cut open the cheese and discovered bundles filled with cocaine. A total of seven bundles with a combined weight of 17.8 pounds of cocaine were seized from the cheese wheels.
“Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion,” said CBP Presidio Port Director Daniel Mercado. “The thorough and extensive inspections performed by CBP officers stopped this unusual drug load from reaching its intended destination.”
The vehicle and narcotics were seized by CBP. The driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations to face charges connected to the failed smuggling attempt.
