$5 Million Worth of Methamphetamine Disguised as Watermelons Seized at Border

Customs and Border Protection officials said agents seized $5 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of watermelons last Friday.

CBP said the drugs were found during an inspection of a truck entering the U.S. from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility in Arizona. Officials said the watermelons were unloaded from the truck during a second inspection at the facility.

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CBP said there were 1,220 packages wrapped in paper, disguised as watermelons in the shipment. It turned out that the “watermelons” were packages of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 4,587 pounds and having an estimated street value of more than $5 million.

The driver was turned over to Homeland Security. CBP has not said whether charges have been filed.

“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 of the Area 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.”

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According to the Justice Department, Mexican drug trafficking organizations have become the largest producers and distributors of methamphetamine.