More meth discovered in produce shipment
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility discovered millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of peppers and tomatillos.
Last week officers encountered a 27-year-old male driving a commercial tractor-trailer with a shipment manifested for the produce. The driver was referred for further examination by CBP officers along with the tractor-trailer and shipment. In the secondary inspection area, a CBP K-9 unit screened the shipment and alerted officers to examine the trailer more closely.
Upon further examination, a CBP agriculture specialist discovered a box within the shipment containing a crystal-like substance. As an agricultural specialist examined the contents of a single shipping box, they discovered a substance matching the characteristics of methamphetamine.
CBP officers were radioed for further assistance and extracted a total of 3,594 packages from the shipment of peppers and tomatillos. The contents of the packages were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a weight of 3,671.58 pounds.
“Our staff is dedicated to our mission and will continue to strengthen our ability to protect our communities and to curb the growth of transnational criminal organizations by applying officer’s skills and tools in our layered enforcement approach,” said Rosa E. Hernandez, port director for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and commercial tractor-trailer while the driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
