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Sharp CBP Officers Intercept Marijuana Hidden Inside Shipment of Cactus Leaves

Release Date: 
November 18, 2013

OTAY MESA, CALIF.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa cargo facility Thursday uncovered 557 pounds of marijuana concealed inside a shipment of cactus leaves.

The incident occurred Nov. 14, at about 7:40 p.m., when officers encountered a 2009 Peterbilt tractor pulling a trailer carrying a shipment of produce.  Officers referred the truck to the dock area for a more in-depth examination.

CBP officers utilized the port’s imaging system and detected anomalies within the wooden crates of cactus.  A canine team screened the trailer and received a positive alert from the detector dog, leading officers to the discovery of 167 wrapped packages of marijuana hidden inside the crates.

A total of 557 pounds of marijuana was offloaded, valued at an estimated $250,650. CBP seized the narcotics and conveyance.

 

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: 
February 9, 2017
Tags: 
Port Security
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