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  4. Second Meth Seizure from Cactus Shipment in a Week

Second Meth Seizure from Cactus Shipment in a Week

Release Date
Wed, 08/12/2020

OTAY MESA, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility discovered more than 1,464 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of cactus on Tuesday.  This is the second seizure of methamphetamine packages from a cactus shipment this week. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa commercial facility discovered more than 1,464 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of cactus on Tuesday. “Incidents such as this highlight the great work by our CBP officers who continue to expedite legitimate trade and travel while interdicting significant violations that would harm our community,” said Officer in Charge Joseph Misenhelter.  “An example of our layered enforcement approach - initial screening, use of non-intrusive technology, canine examination, and physical examination all play a part in how we keep America safe.”

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on August 11, CBP officers encountered the 48-year-old driver of a tractor pulling a trailer with a shipment manifested as cactus. During the inspection, the CBP officer referred the driver along with the conveyance to the port’s X-ray imaging system.

This is the second seizure of methamphetamine packages from a cactus shipment this week.During the X-ray exam, CBP officers identified anomalies within the shipment and referred the truck and trailer to the dock for a more intensive examination. A CBP canine team screened the truck and trailer and the detector dog alerted to the shipment.

CBP officers searched the shipment and discovered 1,098 wrapped packages of methamphetamine mixed with the cactus in crates, with an estimated street value of about $3.3 million.

CBP officers turned the driver, a U.S. citizen, over to the custody of agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) who later transported him to the Metropolitan Correction Center (MCC) in San Diego; he will face federal charges.

CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer and narcotics.

So far this fiscal year, from October 2019 through June 2020, CBP officers along the California border with Mexico have stopped 62,236 pounds of methamphetamine from entering our communities.  CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.  

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