On August 9, 2024 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted 629 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of celery in Otay Mesa, CA.
The incident occurred when officers encountered a 34-year-old man driving a commercial tractor-trailer truck, seeking entry into the United States from Mexico.
The driver, who held a valid border crossing card, was transporting a shipment declared as celery.
Following routine procedures, officers directed the driver, the tractor-trailer, and its cargo to secondary inspection for a more thorough examination.
During the secondary inspection, the shipment of celery was off loaded for closer scrutiny.
A K-9 unit was brought in to screen the produce and quickly alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. Upon careful inspection, officers uncovered 508 packages hidden among the celery.
Testing confirmed the packages contained methamphetamine, with a total weight of 629.72 pounds and an estimated street value of $755,000.Officers seized the narcotics and the commercial tractor-trailer involved in the smuggling attempt. The driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
