A load of chili peppers contains a very spicy cargo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discover in the July 23 episode of National Geographic’s To Catch a Smuggler. The docuseries highlights law enforcement efforts to stem the flow of illegal contraband at America’s airports, seaports, and land border crossings. 

In this exclusive clip from the punnily-titled “Meth Hot Chili Peppers,” CBP officers at the Pharr Port of Entry in Texas count the hundreds of packages of methamphetamine they’ve discovered in a shipment of serrano peppers. They quickly realize they’ve seized an astonishing quantity of illegal drugs. 

“So far, we have two bins,” one officer says after he patiently counts each bundle of meth. “Bin No. 1, we have a total of 349 kilos. Bin No. 2, 331 kilos. And we’re still counting.” 

In the end, the officers realize they’ve taken nearly 1,000 kilograms of meth off the street, with an approximate street value of $31 million – the largest methamphetamine seizure in Pharr Port history. 

The bust happened on November 10, 2024, according to a CBP press release, when officers identified a tractor-trailer from Mexico for inspection, leading to the discovery of more than 2,000 pounds of meth.  

“Lovely day,” the officer says. “This is one of the biggest meth seizures we’ve had here at the port. The K9 team, the targeting team, everybody did a great job.”  

To Catch a Smuggler airs every Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic.

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