Nearly 3 tons of meth and fentanyl seized from big rig on California border in historic bust

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently intercepted and seized nearly 3 tons of illegal drugs in Otey Mesa, California in what authorities say is “the largest methamphetamine drug smuggling seizure along the southwest border, to date.”

The drug seizure happened around 5:30 p.m. on August 4 at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility after officers encountered a semi truck hauling a load of plastic household goods.

The truck was referred for a closer inspection using an imaging system.

Due to “anomalies within the trailer” uncovered by the imaging scan, a canine unit was brought in.

The canine unit alerted to the presence of narcotics in the trailer.

Officers inspected the trailer and discovered 414 packages consisting of methamphetamine and fentanyl concealed within boxes.

CBP seized 5,528 pounds of methamphetamine, and 127 pounds of fentanyl powder from the trailer.

The street value of the seized drugs is “an estimated $12,990,749 million U.S. dollars” according to a CBP news release.

Officers arrested the 53 year old Mexican truck driver and turned him over into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The truck driver is currently being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego, where he is facing federal charges.

CBP seized the truck and trailer in addition to the 2.8 tons of drugs.

“This amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine is enough to ruin countless lives and fund transnational criminal organizations,” said Pete Flores, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego.  “I’m proud of our officers’ efforts at all Ports of Entry within the San Diego Field Office to intercept this and all smuggling attempts.”