From Parrots to Carrots – CBP Seizes 2900 Pounds of Mexican Cartel Meth

OTAY MESA, Calif. (AP) — In a significant interception, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility thwarted an attempt to smuggle methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of carrots.

Tuesday we reported Customs and Border Protection agents seized live Amazon Jungle Parrots attempting to be smuggled across the Mexican border. 

The bust occurred Sunday around 11:48 a.m. when CBP officers stopped a 44-year-old man driving a commercial tractor trailer loaded with a cargo listed as carrots. The driver, holding a valid border crossing card, was directed for further scrutiny along with the tractor, trailer, and cargo.

Upon unloading the shipment in the secondary inspection area, officers meticulously examined each box. Their efforts revealed suspicious packages hidden beneath the layers of carrots. Subsequent testing confirmed the contents as methamphetamine.

A total of 574 packages, weighing approximately 2,900 pounds, were seized from the shipment, with an estimated street value reaching into the millions of dollars.

Port Director for Otay Mesa Port of Entry, Rosa E. Hernandez, commended the officers for their diligence, stating, "I couldn’t be prouder of the exceptional work by our CBP officers. While facilitating lawful trade and travel, our officers steadfastly combat the trafficking of dangerous drugs at our borders."

The suspect was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further inquiry, and both the narcotics and tractor trailer were confiscated by CBP officers.

This operation forms part of Operation Apollo, a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local agencies aimed at combating the threat posed by fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics. Further details about Operation Apollo can be accessed here.