U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers intercepted more than $15 million worth of narcotics at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility disguised in shipments of clay pots, Jicama, and furniture, authorities announced today.
The first seizure occured on the afternoon of Valentine's day when a 39-year olf male driver of a 2006 truck applied for admission into the United States at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility. The driver was referred for further evaluation after presenting a valid entry document and declaring his shipment of furniture.
A CBP detector dog screened the truck alerting CBP officers of narcotics in the cargo area carrying furniture. Further inspection led CBP officers to discover and remove 69 packages of methamphetamine, weighing approximately more than 515 pounds, three packages of fentanyl pills weighing more than 23 pounds, and two packages of cocaine weighing nearly 11 pounds.
The second seizure occured two days later on Feb.16 just after 10 a.m. when a 44-year-old male driver of a 2012 tractor-trailer applied for entry into the United States by presenting a valid travel document and a manifest for a shipment of clay pots. After being referred for further inspection, officers discovered 132 packages of marijuana weighing approximately 1,472 pounds concealed inside the clay pots.
Just a few hours later at around 6 p.m., CBP officers stopped a 24-year-old male driver in a red 2013 tractor-trailer. Authorities seized 880 boxes of fresh jicamas containing 1,219 packages of methamphetamine that weighed approximately 2,180 pounds. The packages of methamphetamine were comingled with the jicamas.
“Phenomenal work by our CBP officers,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations for the San Diego Field Office. “Smuggling trends may change, but one thing that will always remain the same is our officers’ diligence and dedication to preventing narcotics from entering the U.S.”
According to CBP, the 1,425 packages containing narcotics were seized with an estimated street value of $15.4 million.
CBP officers turned the drivers over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations for final disposition. The vehicles and narcotics were seized by CBP officers
