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A person accused of trying to smuggle cocaine in wheels of cheese was arrested while trying to cross through a U.S.-Mexico port of entry, authorities said.
On Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Presidio Port of Entry stopped a U.S.-bound pickup from Mexico and found four wheels of cheese. After an X-ray screening, authorities found anomalies inside the cheese wheels, according to a Friday news release.
“Officers cut open the cheese and discovered bundles filled with cocaine,” the release said.
About 18 pounds of cocaine were found in seven separate bundles, according to the U.S. border protection agency.
The 22-year-old driver of the truck, a U.S. citizen whose name was not release by authorities, is facing drug smuggling charges, the agency said.
“Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal contraband in items that appear innocent to deflect suspicion,” said Daniel Mercado, Presidio Port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.