SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently seized a combined more than 6,000 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in celery and watermelon shipments.
On Aug. 9, officials found more than 600 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a shipment of celery aboard a truck in Otay Mesa, according to a press release sent this week. A week later, on Aug. 16, officials seized over $5 million worth of methamphetamine disguised as a watermelon shipment.
“I am incredibly proud of our team for their exceptional work over the past few weeks in uncovering sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods," stated Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. "As drug cartels continue to evolve their smuggling techniques, we will continue finding new and better ways to prevent these dangerous drugs and other contraband from entering the country."
CBP officials said the seizures were part of Operation Apollo, a multi-agency law enforcement operation largely targeting the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.
Celery seizure
The Aug. 9 seizure happened after a commercial tractor-trailer driver sought to cross into the United States from Mexico, but was directed to secondary inspection.
After a drug dog alerted officers to the celery shipment on the truck, CBP officers found 508 packages concealed among the vegetables, which contained 629.72 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $755,000, according to CBP.
The narcotics and the truck were seized, while the 34-year-old driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
Watermelon disguise
The next week, CBP officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility requested a secondary inspection for a 29-year-old man driving a commercial tractor-trailer into the U.S. from Mexico. The truck was hauling a shipment for watermelons.
Upon further inspection, officers uncovered 1,220 packages disguised as watermelons but wrapped in paper. Inside was 4,587 pounds total of methamphetamine.
Officials estimated the street value of the drugs was over $5 million. Officers seized the narcotics and the commercial tractor-trailer and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
