More than $5 million worth of meth hidden in fake watermelon packaging seized at US-Mexico border

Border agents at the U.S.-Mexico border intercepted a “shady situation” when they found more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine packaged in inflatable watermelons, continuing the saga of Mexican drug cartels attempting to smuggle illegal drugs across the border.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents became suspicious when a 29-year-old man was driving a semi-trailer truck full of watermelons.

Authorities said the truck attempted to enter the U.S. through the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility near San Diego.

A second inspection revealed that the shipment of real watermelons contained approximately 1,220 fake watermelons containing a total of 2,010 kilograms of methamphetamine.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of watermelons at the commercial facility in Otay Mesa on Friday. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Upon closer inspection, the illegal drug was carefully packaged in an inflatable watermelon disguise.

The contents of the packages were tested and identified as methamphetamine weighing a total of 4,587 pounds and having a street value of more than $5 million.

CBP agents found 2,018 kilograms of methamphetamine in a shipment of counterfeit watermelons. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Port Director Rosa Hernandez described the method of concealment as “advanced.”

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

Special agents assigned to the DEA Atlanta Division made a record-breaking seizure on August 8 when they seized more than a ton of crystal methamphetamine during a law enforcement operation at the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market in Forest Park, Georgia. (Drug Enforcement Administration)

The seizure of the illegal narcotics came after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized a record amount of crystal meth in Atlanta.

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The DEA said in a press release that the drugs were hidden in shipments of celery.

The discovery was the largest meth seizure the DEA has made in Atlanta, with 2,585 pounds of the dangerous drug. The wholesale value of the seizure is approximately $3.2 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents became suspicious when they saw a man driving a truck full of watermelons. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Robert J. Murphy, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Atlanta division, said the seizure demonstrates the “confidence” of the Mexican cartels.

“This is a significant and incredible amount of drugs to be shipped at one time and to a destination so far from the border,” Murphy said. “It also shows the confidence of the cartel behind this.”

Fox News Digital has contacted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for comment.