An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Otay Mesa CBP Officers Seize $1.5 Million Worth of Liquid Methamphetamine

Otay Mesa CBP Officers Seize $1.5 Million Worth of Liquid Methamphetamine

Release Date
Wed, 02/12/2014

Otay Mesa, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa port of entry Saturday arrested a man after discovering more than $1.5 million worth of liquid methamphetamine stored in the gas tank of the pickup he was driving.

Shortly before 9 a.m. on February 8, a CBP officer encountered the 34-year-old after he entered the port of entry driving a 1986 Ford F-250 pickup. The officer referred the driver and vehicle for a more in-depth investigation.

A CBP canine team screened the truck and the detector dog alerted to the undercarriage.  Officers conducted an intensive search and ultimately discovered 132 pounds of liquid methamphetamine concealed in the pickup’s gas tank. 

The driver, a Mexican citizen and resident of Tijuana, Baja California, was arrested and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing.

The subject was transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center to await arraignment.

CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021