By Steve Neavling
This cheese was no match for discerning CBP officers.
At the Presidio Port of Entry in Texas, CBP officers intercepted 17.8 pounds of cocaine hidden inside several wheels of cheese on July 20.
The cheese arrived in a pickup truck from Mexico and was referred for as secondary inspection.
During the inspection, CBP officers saw four wheels of cheese that had been declared by the driver.
The cheese was examined and scanned by an x-ray system, which revealed anomalies.
When officers cut open the cheese, the discovered seven bundles filled with cocaine.
CBP seized the drugs and vehicle.
“Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion,” CBP Presidio Port Director Daniel Mercado said in a news release. “The thorough and extensive inspections performed by CBP officers stopped this unusual drug load from reaching its intended destination.”
The driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and now faces charges for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs.
