Catherine Rusoff
Law enforcement officials — with the help of sniffer dogs — seized nearly six tons of methamphetamine hidden inside a shipment of green pumpkin this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
The illicit substance was discovered inside 1,419 packages of the pumpkin shipment, the agency said. said in a press release.
The shipment was found in a commercial trailer driven by a 44-year-old man on Monday night. When CBP officers at the port of Otay Mesa in San Diego, California, found the man, they requested that his truck be subjected to further examination, the agency said.
After sweeps of the trailer detected “irregularities,” a canine team responded and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.
The 11,469 pounds of methamphetamine found has an estimated street value of more than $18 million, CBP said.
Protection of United States Customs and Borders
The drugs were seized, as was the vehicle. The unidentified driver, who had a valid border crossing card, was turned over to Homeland Security custody for further investigation.
The seizure was made as part of Operation Apollo, a CBP operation aimed at combating fentanyl smuggling in Southern California and Arizona. The operation connects local CBP officers with federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners, the agency said, increasing collaboration between the groups and allowing them to share resources and intelligence.
“Our officers’ commitment to duty, excellence and the security of our nation is truly commendable. These results serve as a remarkable demonstration of effectiveness in stopping the illegal importation of narcotics,” said Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director of Otay Mesa area. , in the press release. “Their exceptional efforts truly embody the highest standards of service.”
Protection of United States Customs and Borders
It is far from the first time that a massive shipment of illicit drugs has been found inside a food shipment. More than 750 kilograms of fentanyl pills were found hidden among a shipment of green beans transported through the port of Otay Mesa in April 2023. The deadly synthetic opioid was also found smuggled in bags of flour and candy boxesCBS News previously reported.
CBP agents found more than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine hidden in cans of jalapeño paste transported across the border in December 2023.
Since October 1, 2023, CBP agents have seized more than 12,000 shipments of illegal drugs at border posts. This includes more than 3,300 methamphetamine seizures.
