Over 600 Pounds of Meth Discovered in Celery Shipment

Over 600 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered hidden within a shipment of celery in California. Officials reported that this incident took place on the evening of August 9 at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers encountered a 34-year-old man operating a commercial tractor-trailer, who was attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. The driver possessed a valid border crossing card and was transporting a load labeled as celery.

Following standard protocol, CBP officers directed the driver, the tractor-trailer, and its cargo to secondary inspection for a more in-depth examination.

During this secondary inspection, a CBP K-9 unit alerted the officers to potential narcotics. Upon further investigation, officials discovered a staggering 629 pounds of methamphetamine, packed in 508 packages and concealed among the celery. The street value of this narcotic seizure is estimated to be around $755,000.

Rosa E. Hernandez, the Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa, emphasized the importance of the officers’ diligence in this case. “Our officers’ vigilance and expertise once again thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics disguised as everyday produce,” she stated. “This discovery underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the perils of drug trafficking.”

Following the seizure, CBP officers took custody of the narcotics as well as the tractor-trailer involved in the smuggling attempt. The driver, whose identity has not been released, was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further inquiry.

This operation has been credited to the ongoing initiative known as Operation Apollo. Launched on October 26, 2023, in southern California, the operation expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024. Operation Apollo involves a comprehensive counter-fentanyl strategy focused on intelligence gathering and collaboration with various partners at the federal, state, and local levels.

This approach aims to enhance resources and coordination among agencies to effectively target and combat the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.

As this investigation continues to unfold, authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and protecting communities from the dangers associated with illicit narcotics.

The case remains open as officials delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the smuggling attempt.

Source: ABC News