Border Patrol Makes Huge Meth Bust

SAN DIEGO, CA -- After discovering thousands of pounds of meth concealed in an 18-wheeler, Customs and Border Patrol agents are calling it the second-largest border meth bust in history.

On Friday morning the 18-wheeler arrived at the Otay Mesa commercial facility claiming to have medical supplies.

After being referred to secondary inspection officers located multiple anomalies. 

In addition to the supply of clear plastic pipette tips, spray bottles of surface decontaminate, and calibrated pipette tools used for sampling and dispensing liquid officers located 1,816 packages.

Upon examination of those packages they located:

•  3,014 pounds of methamphetamine
• 64 pounds of heroin
• 29 pounds of fentanyl powder
• 37 pounds of fentanyl pills

The drugs had an estimated street value of $7.2 million.

“This massive seizure is a testament of what law enforcement agencies can do when we combine forces – prevent over $7 million worth of deadly drugs from entering our country; thus saving countless lives from addiction and overdose deaths,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “DEA cherishes our great law enforcement partners in San Diego, especially those who work tirelessly to protect our nation’s borders. We will continue to work together to disrupt drug trafficking organizations at every opportunity we are given.”

The driver was identified as a 47-year-old Mexican citizen who was turned over to a joint team of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“This significant seizure is a prime example of how a successful partnership between HSI, CBP, and DEA results in the disruption of transnational criminal organizations while protecting our country from dangerous illicit drugs,” said Juan Munoz, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI in San Diego. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”