U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents made a significant drug seizure on Monday in San Diego. Concealed within a shipment of celery, they discovered 629.72 pounds of methamphetamine. This illicit substance has an estimated street value of $755,000.
On August 9th, a 34-year-old man driving a commercial tractor-trailer attempted to enter the United States from Mexico. The driver, who possessed a valid border crossing card, was transporting a shipment of celery.
Following standard procedures, CBP officers instructed the driver, as well as the tractor-trailer and its cargo, to undergo secondary inspection in order to conduct a more comprehensive examination.
The authorities decided to inspect the shipment more closely and offloaded it.
The CBP K-9 unit promptly alerted officers to the existence of narcotics.
During the search, law enforcement officials made a significant discovery. They found a total of 508 packages cleverly concealed among the celery.
Homeland Security Investigations has taken custody of the driver for further investigation.
“Our officers’ constant vigilance and exceptional expertise have once again foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotics disguised as ordinary produce,” emphasized Rosa E. Hernandez, the port director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. “This significant find serves as a clear demonstration of our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our communities from the dangers posed by drug trafficking.”
On August 9th, at Otay Mesa, agents made a significant discovery. They found a total of 361 pounds of fentanyl and cocaine concealed within a flatbed trailer. This seizure marks the largest fentanyl seizure of the fiscal year in California. The cocaine was packaged in 77 bundles, weighing a total of 227.96 pounds, while the fentanyl powder was divided into 50 packages, weighing approximately 133.60 pounds. The diligent efforts of the CBP agents led to this important interception.
According to CBP, the seizures have an estimated street value of over $12.6 million.
The border crossing between Otay Mesa in San Diego and Tijuana in Mexico has been open since 1983 and is currently the busiest commercial port of entry in California.
As part of Operation Apollo, authorities have made a significant seizure in their ongoing efforts to curb the trafficking of fentanyl. The operation, which commenced on October 26, 2023, in Southern California, has now extended its reach to Arizona as of April 10.