A truck driver who allegedly tried to hide hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine under a shipment of green onion as he crossed the border into the United States was detained today at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, authorities said Monday.
The load of meth was discovered after the suspect, who was not identified in the press release, pulled into an inspection station at around 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The trucker was reportedly carrying cargo listed as "mint leaves and other spices," according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.
During an X-ray exam of the truck, CBP officers discovered "anomalies" within the shipment, and flagged it for a more intensive examination by officers. A CBP canine team was summoned, which alerted to the shipment. Officers probed the shipment further and discovered 40 packages of methamphetamine hidden underneath the produce.
The suspect was turned over to Homeland Security Investigation. CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer and narcotics. The street value of the 614-pounds of drugs would have been approximately $1.4 million, customs officials said.
Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection