PHARR – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered 3,000 pounds of marijuana within a shipment of watermelons.

The seizure occurred on Jan. 17 when officers at the Pharr Bridge cargo facility encountered a white 1993 Thermo King tractor trailer.

After the conveyance was referred for a secondary inspection, officers utilized a non-intrusive imaging system with the help of a canine team to locate the drugs.

CBP extracted 390 packages containing a total of 3,000 pounds of marijuana concealed within the shipment.

CBP seized the drugs, valued at about $600,092. The case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.