Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found more than 400 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in a vehicle entering California through Tecate, valued at more than $2.5 million, according to the federal agency.
CBP told Chula Vista Today that officers found the drugs hidden in a series of toolboxes that he was carrying in the cargo area of the pickup.
Officer Javi García said that a man of Mexican nationality with legal residence in the country was driving the vehicle when crossing through the Tecate port of entry.
When the suspect arrived at the inspection booth, the officer on duty then sent him over for a more detailed review of the vehicle.
During the inspection, the federal agents then removed 94 packages that were hidden in the lower parts of the toolboxes. The drugs tested positive for methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
Officer Garcia said the drugs weighed 415.61 pounds and had an estimated street price of $2.56 million.
CBP seized the drugs, and the vehicle was impounded and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who then took him into custody at the Metropolitan Corrections Center (MCC) in San Diego on federal charges of attempted narcotics trafficking.
Rosa Hernandez, CBP Director at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, commented, "This drug interdiction has been a true testament to the diligence of our frontline CBP officers."
