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  4. CBP Officers Find More Than 5.5 Tons of Marijuana Hidden in Shipment of Limes

CBP Officers Find More Than 5.5 Tons of Marijuana Hidden in Shipment of Limes

Release Date
Fri, 06/05/2020

OTAY MESA, Calif.  — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Cargo port of entry seized more than 5.5 tons of marijuana yesterday, hidden in a shipment manifested as “limes.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa Cargo port of entry seized more than 5.5 tons of marijuana yesterday, hidden in a shipment manifested as “limes.”“Criminals and other bad actors will try to get past us but CBP officers are focused on protecting our communities from illicit drugs,” said Division Director Rosa Hernandez.  “I am so proud of the officers for their efforts and know that they will continue to target these dangerous shipments.”

In total, officers discovered 468 large wrapped packages containing more than 11,000 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of approximately $8.4 million.At about 4 p.m. on Monday, June 4, CBP officers encountered a 74-year-old male Mexican citizen, driving a tractor pulling a trailer carrying a shipment of limes.  A CBP officer referred the truck and shipment for a more in-depth examination.

CBP officers searched the trailer, it was full of boxes with supposed limes within, and they identified anomalies. A CBP officer probed one of the boxes and extracted a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for the properties of marijuana.

In total, officers discovered 468 large wrapped packages containing more than 11,000 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of approximately $8.4 million.

CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, cargo shipment and marijuana. The driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

Should you have information related to suspected smuggling activity at the Otay Mesa Cargo facility, DHS encourages you to report it by calling its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form.

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