CBP Officers Seize Over 3,000 Pounds of Methamphetamine at Otay Mesa Commercial Facility

Crystal meth estimated at nearly $5 million

SAN DIEGO - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility seized over 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $4,924,960, concealed within a cargo trailer. The shipment manifest had listed the commodity as corrugated cardboard boxes.

On April 14, CBP officers referred a 2017 Freightliner Cascadia tractor, its trailer, and the 31-year-old male Mexican citizen driver for secondary inspection.

A nonintrusive inspection revealed anomalies within the trailer's front wall, and a CBP canine alerted officers to the same area. A physical inspection uncovered 300 packages containing a crystal-like substance wrapped in clear plastic. The packages tested positive for methamphetamine, totaling 3,078.10 pounds.

"Our CBP officers at ports of entry are unwavering guardians," said Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa E. Hernandez. "Their diligence prevented illegal narcotics from entering our country, so our communities are kept safe from dangerous drugs."

Supported by the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, CBP officers across the Southwest border are empowered to stop illegal activity while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 67,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

• Topics
• Border Security
• Cargo Security
• CBP Officers
• Drug Seizure
• Drug Trafficking
• Enforcement
• Methamphetamine
• Smuggling