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Federal authorities seizes cocaine-filled cheese at border
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers cut the cheese last week 鈥� discovering 17.8 pounds of cocaine concealed in cheese wheels at the U.S. port of entry in Presidio, Texas.
Sandra Hawkins, a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said the pick-up truck carrying the cheese arrived from Mexico and was flagged for secondary inspection July 20.
She said the driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, declared four wheels of cheese but was betrayed by the border patrol鈥檚 X-ray system which revealed anomalies within the cheddar.
Hawkins said when officers cut into the cheese they discovered seven bundles of cocaine.
鈥淪mugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion,鈥� said Daniel Mercado, the CBP Presidio Port Director, 鈥淭he thorough and extensive inspections performed by CBP officers stopped this unusual drug load from reaching its intended destination.鈥�
CBP seized the vehicle and cocaine-laden cheese. The driver was turned over to Homeland Security and will face charges.
