OTAY MESA, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted more than 2.2 tons of methamphetamine and cocaine during a recent three-day span at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in California.
According to a news release, the first seizure occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, when officers encountered a 28-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer, manifested for green onions. Investigators discovered 183 packages containing methamphetamine hidden within the shipment of green onions. The nearly 1,529 pounds of meth seized have an estimated street value of $3.3 million.
Two days later, CBP officers encountered a 29-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer, manifested for electronics. Investigators found 195 packages of meth and 75 packages of cocaine concealed within a false wall found inside the vehicle, the agency stated. The nearly 1,993 pounds of meth and more than 1,037 pounds of cocaine have a combined estimated street value of $20.8 million.
“CBP officers are the front line of stopping these dangerous drugs from entering the U.S.,” stated Jennifer De La O, director of field operations for the agency’s San Diego field office.
“The lengths drug trafficking organizations are willing to go to conceal and smuggle narcotics is a testament to how effective our officers are,” she added.
According to the agency, both drivers were arrested on suspicion of narcotics smuggling. The tractors, trailers and narcotics were also seized, and both men have been turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
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