Just plain nuts: Customs agents in Memphis seize meth hidden inside peanut shells

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A peanut shipment intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at an express consignment hub in Memphis, Tennessee, turned out to contain far more than legumes.

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The shipment, manifested as “REGIONAL BREAD ROASTED PEANUTS REGIONAL DUST SWEET MADE OF CORN” was seized June 29 after an X-ray revealed “suspicious anomalies,” according to a CBP news release.

Although the shipment did, in fact, contain bags of peanuts and “other food preparation materials,” officers actually cracked open the peanuts and found a “white crystal substance” concealed inside the shells, a sample of which tested positive as methamphetamine, the release stated.

Area Port Director Michael Neipert said that his officers “long ago lost all surprise at the smuggling methods” encountered shift after shift.

“Narcotics in fruit, nuts, baked goods, shoes, toys and all kinds of other items disguised as gifts or other legitimate shipments fly through the express consignment world. These days you can get a gram of methamphetamine at half the price of what cocaine costs, and at twice the potency. I’m proud we were able to keep this shipment from getting to its destination,” Neipert stated.

The shipment, which originated in Mexico, was bound for eastern Texas, the agency confirmed.

The estimated street value of the confiscation was not immediately available, but 489 grams, or roughly 2,445 doses of the narcotic, were seized.

The Area Port of Memphis covers ports of entry throughout the state of Tennessee and falls under CBP’s New Orleans field office, which services all ports in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.

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