The discovery took place around 8:11 a.m. when officers encountered a 39-year-old individual driving a 2003 van carrying a shipment labeled as foam pedestals. Upon initial inspection, CBP officers became suspicious and subjected both the traveler and the van to a more thorough examination.
Using non-intrusive scanning techniques, officers detected anomalies within the truck. A K-9 unit was called in, and the dogs alerted to the presence of narcotics. After a detailed search, CBP officers found 218 packages concealed within seven foam pedestals.
These packages were found to contain methamphetamine, totaling 457 pounds with an estimated street value of $730,800. Rosa E. Hernandez, the Port Director for Otay Mesa Port of Entry, highlighted the vigilance of CBP officers in identifying evolving smuggling methods, stressing their commitment to safeguarding communities.
The driver was detained and handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further inquiry, while both the van and the narcotics were seized. This seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local agencies aimed at combatting the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic narcotics. More details about Operation Apollo can be accessed here.