LOS ANGELES — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operation officers from Los Angeles International Airport stationed at an Ontario air cargo facility discovered crystal methamphetamine concealed within a false cavity of a hollowed out candle on Aug. 3. The estimated value of the seized 1.6 pounds of crystal meth is $23,000.
CBP officers examined an express parcel from Mexico destined to Mills Spring, North Carolina. It contained a large religious candle that was unusually heavy and a boy’s cotton suit.
Airport seized 1.6 pounds of meth on Aug. 3
that was hidden inside a religious candle.
X-ray images revealed a false cavity concealing a large object within the candle. The bottom of the candle was carefully carved out, revealing a dark-blue cylinder shaped object. With a small incision, officers extracted a white-crystal substance that tested positive for crystal methamphetamine.
“Our officers are very mindful of an individual’s property including spiritual items, yet they remain focused on keeping dangerous drugs off the streets of our community,” said Mitchell Merriam, CBP Los Angeles Area Port Director.
The two items were seized by CBP and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.