Large Meth Shipment Disguised in Celery Seized by Border Patrol
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized 629.72 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of celery in San Diego.
- The street value of the meth was estimated at $755,000.
- The successful interception highlights efforts to combat drug smuggling at the border.
San Diego, CA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents recently seized a significant shipment of methamphetamine, weighing 629.72 pounds and valued at approximately $755,000, concealed within a load of celery. The incident occurred on August 9 when a 34-year-old man attempted to enter the United States from Mexico driving a commercial tractor-trailer. Despite holding a valid border crossing card, the shipment raised suspicions, prompting officers to conduct a secondary inspection. During the thorough examination, a CBP K-9 unit alerted agents to the presence of narcotics, leading to the discovery of the methamphetamine. The driver was subsequently handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further questioning. CBP officials emphasized the importance of this seizure, stating it reflects their commitment to combatting drug trafficking and protecting communities. On the same day, another significant drug bust took place at the Otay Mesa border crossing, where agents uncovered 361 pounds of fentanyl and cocaine hidden in a flatbed trailer. This marked the largest fentanyl seizure in California for the fiscal year, with the shipment containing 77 packages of cocaine and 50 packages of fentanyl powder. The Otay Mesa border crossing, operational since 1983, serves as California's busiest commercial port of entry. These seizures are part of Operation Apollo, an initiative aimed at controlling the flow of fentanyl, which began in Southern California and expanded to Arizona earlier this year.