Smugglers tried to get 18 pounds of cocaine into the US by hiding it in cheese wheels

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY
·1 min read
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted an attempted cocaine smuggling on July 20, 2023 when a pick-up truck from Mexico was referred for a secondary inspection. Officers found four wheels of cheese with 17.8 pounds of cocaine inside.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted an attempted cocaine smuggling on July 20, 2023 when a pick-up truck from Mexico was referred for a secondary inspection. Officers found four wheels of cheese with 17.8 pounds of cocaine inside.

Drug traffickers tried to sneak 17.8 pounds of cocaine into the United States at the Presidio Texas Port of Entry by hiding the drugs in cheese wheels, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

Officers intercepted the operation Thursday when a pickup truck from Mexico was referred for a secondary inspection. Officers found four wheels of cheese that the driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, declared.

Officers scanned the cheese wheels with an X-ray system and found "anomalies" within the pieces. They then cut open the cheese and found seven bundles filled with cocaine.

Customs and Border Protection seized the drugs and vehicle and the driver was sent to Homeland Security Investigations to face charges.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted an attempted cocaine smuggling on July 20, 2023 when a pick-up truck from Mexico was referred for a secondary inspection. Officers found four wheels of cheese with 17.8 pounds of cocaine inside.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted an attempted cocaine smuggling on July 20, 2023 when a pick-up truck from Mexico was referred for a secondary inspection. Officers found four wheels of cheese with 17.8 pounds of cocaine inside.

“Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion,” said Presidio Port Director Daniel Mercado in a news release.

“The thorough and extensive inspections performed by CBP officers stopped this unusual drug load from reaching its intended destination.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Traffickers hide cocaine in cheese wheels in failed smuggling attempt