U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sunday seized over $2.7 Million worth of liquid methamphetamine concealed in recreational trailers during two smuggling attempts.
The first smuggling attempt occured at approximately 8 p.m. when a white Ford Excursion towing a trailer at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry was selected for inspection. All occupants of the vehicle presented a valid state I.D. to officers, including a 61-year-old female, a 61-year-old male, a 56-year-old male, and a 47-year-old female.
CBP officers found 22 five-gallon buckets of liquid methamphetamine weighing 735.59 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,544,739.
“Narcotics smugglers have always taken advantage of holiday season traffic to sneak in their dangerous drugs,” said Jennifer De La O, CBP Director of Field Operations for the San Diego Field Office.
The second intersection occurred at the San Ysidro Port of Entry approximately an hour later at 9:13 p.m. when three males ages 22,21, and 18 aboard a silver Ford Excursion towing a trailer were sent for inspection. All three travelers presented a valid state I.D., according to officials.
A canine screened the vehicle and alerted it near the liquid tank under the trailer. Officers found 554.73 pounds of liquid methamphetamine stored in 16 sealed five-gallon buckets.
CBP said the estimated street value is $1,164,933.
The travelers were turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for further processing. The liquid methamphetamine was seized by CBP officers along with the vehicles and trailers.
