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  4. CBP Finds 311 Lbs. of Methamphetamine in Stone Items

CBP Finds 311 Lbs. of Methamphetamine in Stone Items

Release Date
Thu, 03/05/2020

SAN DIEGO— U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa cargo facility on Tuesday evening discovered 311 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside of stone items.

 

On March 3rd, at about 7 p.m., a 38-year-old male Mexican citizen drove a 2013 International tractor pulling a trailer into the cargo port with a shipment manifested as stone items.  The CBP officer referred the shipment to the dock for a more intensive examination.

 

CBP officers utilized a detector dog to screen the tractor/trailer and the canine alerted to the shipment.  CBP officers broke open one of the stone items discovering a wooden box. Inside the box, officers discovered a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for the properties of methamphetamine. 

CBP officers discover meth encased in concrete.
CBP officers discover meth encased
in concrete.

 

CBP officers removed 136 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside of the stone items, with a street value of more than $590,000.

 

“Drug trafficking organizations attempt to elude CBP inspections by finding unique ways to conceal their drugs,” said Officer in Charge Joseph Misenhelter. “CBP’s layered enforcement has proven to be an effective strategy.”

 

The driver was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center.  CBP seized both the methamphetamine and the tractor and trailer.

 

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021