They are using cows.
Mexican cartels have reportedly been smuggling drugs into the U.S. by hiding them inside cows, according to sources from Texas and New Mexico. While cattle cars have traditionally been used for drug smuggling, the cartels have taken this to the next level by using the cattle themselves. Sheriff Arvin West from Hudspeth County, Texas, noted that the cartels are becoming increasingly creative in their methods, with drugs being hidden inside cows during the spaying process. This practice emerged as Mexico began sending more heifers—young female cows—into the U.S. due to a declining U.S. cattle inventory.
In 2024, the U.S. imported over 1.2 million cattle from Mexico, including more than 400,000 heifers, all of which are required to be spayed before entry. The cartels exploit this regulation by inserting sealed drug packages into the heifers before their flanks are stapled shut. Former New Mexico state Senator and cattle rancher Steve McCutcheon explained that the cartels have a network of buyers who purchase cattle in Mexico, then smuggle drugs inside them. Dr. Gary Thrasher, a veterinarian familiar with spaying procedures, explained that cows are unlikely to suffer from infections, making it possible to insert drugs without causing immediate harm to the animals.
The cartels often operate legitimate trucking companies, which are owned and funded by the cartels. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checks cattle papers at the border, detecting drugs hidden inside animals presents a unique challenge. Once the cattle pass through customs, the drugs are removed in the U.S., and the cartels trade them for cash, which is smuggled back into Mexico in trucks. The cash is then used to buy more cattle, perpetuating the cycle. This technique, however, has not been confirmed at the Santa Teresa port-of-entry.
Authorities like CBP and the USDA have acknowledged the challenge of detecting such smuggling methods, though there is no specific focus on drug smuggling through animals. Former CBP deputy commissioner Robert Perez said that while he never encountered cows used for drug smuggling during his career, he was not surprised by the tactic, given the cartels’ willingness to use any method to conceal their shipments. Cartels are also known to use faster cattle transport to minimize weight loss, which helps both the livestock and drug shipments reach their destinations more efficiently.
The cartels may be shifting away from human smuggling due to heightened border security under the Trump administration, according to law enforcement in New Mexico. Instead, they are expected to focus more on drug smuggling, particularly drugs like methylphenidate and cocaine. With increasing border security, cartels are also turning to underground methods like tunnels to smuggle drugs. U.S. authorities have seized significant amounts of drugs at the border, including over 275,000 pounds in 2024 alone. There are concerns that drug smuggling could escalate in areas like New Mexico, as security measures in Texas have intensified.
