Nearly 4,000 lbs of marijuana found inside fake limes

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Nearly 4,000 lbs of marijuana found inside fake limes
Homeland Security is investigating after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found drugs hidden in what appeared to be limes.

PHARR, TX (KTRK) -- It appears produce is a common item used in drug smuggling these days.

Homeland Security is investigating after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found drugs hidden in what appeared to be limes.

Agents found nearly 4,000 pounds of marijuana inside fake limes, hidden with real limes. The smuggled drugs were discovered in a tractor trailer headed into the U.S. from Mexico on Jan. 30.

Officers used a non-intrusive imaging system, along with the help of a canine team to locate the drugs.

The street value is estimated at nearly $800,000.

On Jan. 20, border patrol agents seized several thousand pounds of marijuana disguised as fresh watermelons.

Carrots were also used in an attempted drug smuggling in Pharr. ABC13 reported on Jan. 14 that officers discovered 2,500 pounds of pot in shipment of the orange vegetable.

In Lima, Peru, more than $174 million worth of cocaine was found sealed inside metal containers that appeared to be canned asparagus.