U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have uncovered over 600 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of celery at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in California. The discovery was made on the evening of August 9.
Details of the incident
The seizure occurred when a 34-year-old man driving a commercial tractor-trailer attempted to enter the United States from Mexico. According to a CBP statement released Monday, the driver possessed a valid border crossing card and declared his cargo as celery.
Routine inspection procedures led CBP officers to direct the truck and its cargo to a secondary inspection area. During this thorough examination, a CBP K-9 unit alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.
Contents and value of the drugs
The inspection revealed 629 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in 508 packages within the celery shipment. The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $755,000.
“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.”
Follow-up actions
Following the seizure, CBP officers confiscated the narcotics and the tractor-trailer involved in the smuggling attempt. The driver, who has not been named, has been turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further examination.
This operation is part of Operation Apollo, a comprehensive counter-fentanyl effort initiated on October 26, 2023, in southern California and expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024. The operation focuses on intelligence gathering and collaboration among local, state, federal, tribal, and territorial partners to enhance resources and target fentanyl smuggling.
The investigation into this case is ongoing.