A 33-year-old Mexican man was arrested at the Otay Mesa port in California on September 15 for attempting to cross the border with a shocking 400 pounds of cocaine concealed within boxes of cucumbers, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.
The smuggling attempt was uncovered during a routine inspection when the suspect arrived at the border driving a tractor-trailer loaded with cucumbers. CBP officers, known for their diligent work, discovered 146 packages of cocaine carefully hidden among the cucumber shipments.
In total, authorities seized a staggering 401.68 pounds of cocaine from the truck, with an estimated street value of more than $5.3 million.
This incident came just two days after another Mexican national, aged 25, was arrested at the same entry port while transporting gas tanks in another tractor-trailer. A closer inspection of the gas tanks revealed an astonishing 663.15 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, concealed in 22 five-gallon buckets.
Both Mexican individuals involved in these smuggling attempts were taken into custody by Homeland Security for further investigation.
According to Rosa Hernandez, Otay Mesa Port Director, “The impact our CBP officers have on our agency and the wider community goes far beyond the call of duty. This seizure is a true testament to the diligent work ethic our officers possess.”
Remarkably, this is not the first time smugglers have tried to sneak large quantities of drugs through the Otay Mesa port using vegetable crates. In a similar incident back in April, a 48-year-old driver was apprehended while attempting to smuggle approximately 800 pounds of fentanyl inside a tractor-trailer transporting green beans.
As of August, CBP statistics indicate a significant increase in drug seizures at the border compared to the previous year, with nearly 90,000 pounds of illegal substances confiscated this year, compared to 60,046 pounds seized last year.
