SAN DIEGO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 3,100 pounds of illegal narcotics at the Otay Mesa commercial facility on Friday, marking the second-largest methamphetamine bust along the southwestern border in the agency’s history.
The seizure, executed in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, netted more than 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills and heroin, the agency stated in a news release.
According to the release, 1,816 packages of drugs were located inside a truck transporting medical supplies, including 3,014 pounds of methamphetamine, 64 pounds of heroin, 29 pounds of fentanyl powder and almost 37 pounds of fentanyl pills, worth an estimated $7.2 million.
“This massive seizure is 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,” DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery stated.
“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,” Callery added.
The male driver, a 47–year-old Mexican citizen, was arrested, but the charges levied against him were not immediately available.