OTAY MESA, Calif.–U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility discovered more than 1,464 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of cactus on Tuesday.
This is the second seizure of methamphetamine packages from a cactus shipment this week, according to authorities.
“Incidents such as this highlight the great work by our CBP officers who continue to expedite legitimate trade and travel while interdicting significant violations that would harm our community,” said Officer in Charge Joseph Misenhelter. “An example of our layered enforcement approach – initial screening, use of non-intrusive technology, canine examination, and physical examination all play a part in how we keep America safe.”
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on August 11, Customs and Border Protection officers encountered the 48-year-old driver of a tractor pulling a trailer with a shipment manifested as cactus. During the inspection, the officer referred the driver along with the conveyance to the port’s X-ray imaging system.
During the X-ray exam, the officers identified anomalies within the shipment and referred the truck and trailer to the dock for a more intensive examination. A Customs and Border Protection canine team screened the truck and trailer and the detector dog alerted to the shipment.
Officers searched the shipment and discovered 1,098 wrapped packages of methamphetamine mixed with the cactus in crates, with an estimated street value of about $3.3 million.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, was turned over to the custody of agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations who later transported him to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego. The driver will face federal charges.
Customs and Border Protection officers seized the tractor, trailer and narcotics.
