Border Officials Find 2,493 Pounds Of Marijuana Smuggled In Fake Carrots

An illegal marijuana smuggling attempt was foiled by the United States Border Patrol. On Sunday in Pharr, Texas, officers found 2,493 pounds of "suspected marijuana" concealed in a commercial shipment of fresh carrots from Mexico, reports CNN.

The imaging inspection system flagged the vehicle for a secondary examination, during which agents discovered the smuggled drugs inside 2,817 carrot-shaped packages mixed in with real carrots. The seized contraband was able to fill the beds of two pickup trucks, and has an estimated street value of $499,000.

Port Director Efrain Solis Jr. said in a statement, "Once again, drug smuggling organizations have demonstrated their creativity in attempting to smuggle large quantities of narcotics across the U.S.-Mexico border. Our officers are always ready to meet those challenges and remain vigilant towards any type of illicit activities."

In November 2015, agents at this same checkpoint seized almost two million dollars' worth of "alleged marijuana and cocaine" smuggled in packages of fresh cucumbers and carrots.