U.S. officials said it had seized more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine disguised and concealed within a shipment of watermelons.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said more than 2 tonnes of methamphetamine, also known as meth or ice, was found when a man driving a commercial tractor-trailer sought entry into the U.S. from Mexico.
“Upon careful inspection, officers uncovered 1,220 packages wrapped in paper, disguised as watermelons within the shipment,’’ the CBP said.
The contents of the packages were tested and identified as methamphetamine, with the estimated street value exceeding $5 million.
Earlier in the month, officials uncovered 508 packages hidden among a shipment of celery in similar circumstances.
Testing confirmed the packages contained methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $755,000.
“I am incredibly proud of our team for their exceptional work over the past few weeks in uncovering sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods.
“As drug cartels continue to evolve their smuggling techniques, we will continue to find new and better ways to prevent these dangerous drugs.
“Other contraband will be stopped from entering the country,’’ Area Port of Otay Mesa director Rosa Hernandez said. (dpa/NAN
