These drug smugglers are giving produce haulers a bad name. First it was onions, then tomatoes, then avocados, and now it is carrots. On Dec. 1, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a 43-year-old truck driver applied for entry into the United States from Mexico with something hiding in the cargo.
According to the Customs and Border Patrol – Otay Mesa Cargo Facility, a truckload of bagged carrots got the attention of K9 officers who alerted to the trailer. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered and extracted a total of 628 packages concealed within the shipment of carrots.
The narcotics were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a combined weight of approximately 1,435.19 pounds, and an estimated street value of $3,013,899. CBP officers transferred custody of the driver to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.
In a press release, Rosa Hernandez, Otay Mesa Port Director said, “These types of narcotic interceptions play a critical role in our border security mission. Our officers will continue to remain vigilant working hard to detect these smuggling techniques, stopping the negative impact that narcotics have, while also preventing the proceeds from funding transnational criminal organizations.”
