CBP officers seize more than $5M worth of narcotics from tractor-trailers
By SDCN Editor
Otay Mesa, CA–U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry’s cargo facility seized over $5 million worth of liquid methamphetamine and cocaine concealed in two tractor-trailers last week.
On Sept. 12, at approximately 8:53 p.m., CBP officers encountered a 25-year-old Mexican citizen driving a tractor-trailer seeking entry into the United States from Mexico. During the initial inspection, an officer referred the driver and tractor-trailer for further examination.
In the examination area, the tractor-trailer was screened with non-intrusive inspection technology. The screening revealed anomalies that led officers to conduct a thorough inspection of the tractor’s gas tank.
Officers, with the assistance of Laboratory and Scientific Services technicians, subsequently extracted a total of 22 five-gallon buckets of an unknown substance. The substance was tested and identified as liquid methamphetamine with a total weight of 663.15 pounds.
On September 15, at approximately 6:33 p.m., officers encountered a 33-year-old Mexican citizen driving a tractor-trailer, with a shipment manifest for cucumbers. During the initial inspection, a CBP officer referred the driver and tractor-trailer for further examination.
During secondary inspection, officers discovered 146 packages concealed within the shipment of cucumbers. The packages were tested and identified as cocaine with a total weight of 401.68 pounds.
“The impact our CBP officers have on our agency and the wider community goes far beyond the call of duty,” stated Rosa Hernandez, Otay Mesa Port Director. “This seizure is a true testament to the diligent work ethic our officers possess.”
Officers seized the tractors, trailers, and narcotics, while the male drivers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing. The estimated street value of the narcotics is $5,367,525.
