Border Patrol agents seize $18.6 million in meth at southern border

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announced the seizure of one ton of methamphetamine with a street value of over $18.6 million at the southern border. 

Officers at the World Trade Bridge Laredo Port of Entry in Texas referred a tractor-trailer containing what appeared to be paint buckets for secondary inspection, the agency said Saturday.

After a canine examination and what the department says was a "non-intrusive" inspection, Border Patrol officers discovered 2,033 of suspected methamphetamine. 

Agents seized the narcotics, which had a street value of $18,694,838, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations officials are investigating the bust. 

CBP South Texas called the seizure the "mother lode of meth."

"This exceptional drug bust was an outstanding operation that highlights CBP’s commitment in combatting [sic] the crimes carried out by transnational criminal organizations," Laredo Port Director Albert Flores said.

Drug seizures were at a record low during fiscal 2020, Customs and Border Patrol data show, despite the fact that illegal migrant encounters hit record highs.