More than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine found in shipments of celery and watermelon near U.S.-Mexico border – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

More than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine were found in shipments of celery and watermelon during two separate incidents in Otay Mesa, near the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said this week.

Methamphetamines seized in cross-border celery shipment

On August 9, 629 pounds of methamphetamine was found in a shipment of celery at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility.

The seizure occurred after a truck driver attempted to enter the United States from Mexico but was referred for a secondary inspection.

After a drug-sniffing dog alerted officers to the truck’s cargo of celery, CBP officers found 508 packages hidden among the vegetables, containing 620 pounds (281.6 kilograms) of methamphetamine, worth an estimated $755,000, CBP said.

The narcotics and the truck were seized, while the 34-year-old driver, who had a valid border crossing card, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

According to CBP officials, the seizure was part of Operation Apollo, a multi-agency operation involving law enforcement agencies that primarily targeted the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.

Methamphetamines seized in cross-border watermelon shipment

A week later, on August 16, CBP officers seized a larger haul at the same Otay Mesa facility, this time involving more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of watermelons, CBP said.

This seizure also occurred when a commercial semi-trailer truck attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico but was taken by CBP officers for a secondary inspection.

Agents found 1,220 packages, or 4,587 pounds of methamphetamine, wrapped in paper to resemble watermelons. CBP estimates the street value of the drugs at more than $5 million.

Agents seized the narcotics and the truck, and the driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

“I am incredibly proud of our team for their exceptional work over the past few weeks in exposing sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods,” said Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Port of Otay Mesa. “As drug cartels continue to evolve their smuggling techniques, we will continue to find new and better ways to prevent these dangerous drugs and other contraband from entering the country.”

This seizure was also the result of Operation Apollo, which began on October 26, 2023 and expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024.