Global Courant
Border officials at California’s Otay Mesa Cargo Facility seized more than $38 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of kale on Saturday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Wednesday that they have detained the driver, 34, for an alleged narcotics smuggling attempt after they seized 268 packages from the vegetable shipment. The narcotics weighed 5,788.41 pounds.
A test confirmed the narcotics were methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $38,070,910, according to CBP.
“The concerted effort of our CBP officers to achieve a common goal is remarkably inspiring,” said Rosa Hernandez, the port director of the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility. “Our officers exemplify this every day as they are committed to protecting and serving their communities with unwavering dedication and outstanding work.”
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents assigned to the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility extracted meth containers from a shipment of kale. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
On Saturday, an initial inspection prompted a CBP official to refer the tractor-trailer for further investigation. The drugs were subsequently found and CBP agents subsequently seized the tractor and trailer, CBP said.
The incident occurred around 12:08 PM
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On Saturday, May 27, 2023, nearly 5,800 pounds of methamphetamine was found hidden in a shipment of kale. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Separately, CBP personnel at the Hidalgo International Bridge in Texas seized $1.7 million worth of cocaine aboard a commercial bus on Saturday.
“Our first-line CBP officers remain committed to our border surveillance mission, and seizures like this one underscore that commitment to the mission,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
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He added: “Our officers continue to use an effective combination of experience, technology and fangs to track down hard-core drug loads trying to blend in with mainstream traffic.”
CBP agents at Hidalgo International Bridge in Texas seized packages of cocaine. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Agents found 50 packages of suspected cocaine during a non-intrusive inspection system search. The packages weighed more than 130 pounds, CBP said.
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The narcotics have a street value of € 1,767,926.
CBP seized the narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the incident.
