Otay Mesa, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility seized about 630 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $755,000 hidden within a shipment of celery.
It happened on Aug. 9 when a K-9 unit alerted on a tractor trailer driven by a man trying to enter in southern California from Mexico. The 34-year-old driver, who held a valid border crossing card, was directed to take his tractor-trailer, and its cargo to secondary inspection for a more thorough examination.
During the that inspection, the shipment of celery was offloaded for closer scrutiny. Officers then uncovered 508 packages of meth hidden among the celery.
“Our officers' vigilance and expertise once again thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics disguised as everyday produce," said Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. "This discovery underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the perils of drug trafficking.”
Border patrol officers seized the narcotics, and the commercial tractor-trailer involved in the smuggling attempt. The driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
Annie Gimbel
