Friday, February 14, 2025

More Than 600 Pounds of Meth Discovered Hidden in Celery Shipment

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Over 600 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered hidden within a celery shipment in California, according to officials.

The incident took place on the evening of August 9 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in California stopped a 34-year-old man driving a commercial tractor-trailer, attempting to enter the United States from Mexico, as detailed in a CBP statement issued Monday.

“The driver, who possessed a valid border crossing card, was transporting a load declared as celery,” authorities reported. “Following standard procedures, CBP officers directed the driver, the tractor-trailer, and its cargo to a secondary inspection for a more thorough examination.”

During this inspection, a CBP K-9 unit alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. Officers subsequently uncovered 629 pounds of methamphetamine hidden among the celery in 508 packages, with an estimated street value of around $755,000, officials said.

“Our officers’ vigilance and expertise once again thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics disguised as everyday produce,” said Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. “This discovery highlights our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking.”

More Than 600 Pounds of Meth Discovered Hidden in Celery Shipment

The narcotics and the commercial tractor-trailer were seized by CBP officers, and the driver, whose identity has not been released, was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further questioning.

Read More: Charity Accidentally Distributes Meth-Laced Candies in Auckland Food Parcels

CBP attributes this successful seizure to Operation Apollo, “a comprehensive counter-fentanyl initiative launched on October 26, 2023, in Southern California and expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024,” authorities stated. “Operation Apollo emphasizes intelligence gathering and partnerships, utilizing local CBP field assets and collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to enhance resources, increase cooperation, and target fentanyl smuggling into the United States.”

The investigation into this case is still ongoing.

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