By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–Four men were charged Friday with federal drug trafficking offenses following the seizure of more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine discovered already inside the U.S. in two trucks in National City. This is believed to be one of the largest seizures in San Diego County.
The complaint alleges that on July 7 at approximately 4:55 p.m., a commercial 20-foot box truck crossed into the United States through the Otay Mesa Commercial Port of Entry. Law enforcement surveilled the box truck as it traveled to Hoover and 30th Street, in National City. Once there, agents observed the defendants unloading dozens of cardboard boxes from the box truck and loading them into a Dodge van. Law enforcement then apprehended the defendants, Rafael Alzua, Mario Contreras, Ethgar Velazquez, and Galdrino Contreras, and discovered inside the boxes approximately 148 bundles of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The methamphetamine, in total, weighed more than 5,000 pounds.
“This is a significant accomplishment by our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Due to stellar work by law enforcement agents, the government stopped more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine from being distributed on our streets.”
“This monumental seizure represents another win against drug cartels that fuel addiction in the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe. “Because of our great partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to disrupt the cartels’ flow of drugs into our cities.”
“I am grateful for the hard work, vigilance, and steadfast dedication of our Sheriff’s Detectives, as well as our local, state, and federal partners,” said Sheriff Anthony Ray. “Our partnership and collaboration allow us to share information that is absolutely critical in keeping drugs from entering our streets and holding drug traffickers accountable.”
