Fake watermelons used to smuggle $5 million worth of drugs are definitely not fooling anyone

Drug smugglers came up with a creative plan to get their product into the country, but their plans were thwarted by observant officials who noticed something was amiss with the products they were inspecting.

U.S. border agents discovered a truck carrying more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine in fake watermelons.

The alleged perpetrators wrapped the meth in plastic containers and used two shades of green paint to disguise the drugs in the containers, which were supposed to pass off as fruit.

A total of 1,220 packages were seized, equivalent to 2,010 kilos of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth for short, comes in the form of a highly addictive pill or powder.

U.S. border agents have discovered a truck containing more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine worth of fake watermelons.

The alleged perpetrators packaged the meth in plastic containers and used two shades of green paint to try to conceal the drugs in the fruit-like packaging they created.

The discovery was made on August 16, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected a semi-trailer truck in the border city of Otay Mesa, Mexico.

The 29-year-old driver of the commercial tractor/tailor was arrested by Homeland Security officials.

Port of Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa E. Hernandez said, “I am incredibly proud of our team for the exceptional work they have done over the past several weeks to uncover sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

She continued: “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.”

Just one week earlier, on August 9, another drug find was made in a huge batch of celery, containing 508 packages of drugs.

The K-9 unit used a sniffer dog, which noted that the products contained meth. The street value was estimated at $755,000.

The celery contained nearly 600 pounds of methamphetamine, which was reportedly being transported by a 34-year-old driver who was in possession of a valid border crossing card.

According to CBS News, both drug seizures had a total value of $6 million.

The seizures came as part of Operation Apollo, a holistic group based in California and Arizona whose mission is to end fentanyl smuggling.

Just one week earlier, on August 9, another drug bust was made in a huge shipment of celery, containing 508 packages

The K-9 unit deployed a sniffer dog, which spotted the meth in the celery, resulting in an estimated value of $755,000

The celery contained nearly 629 pounds of methamphetamine, which was reportedly being transported by a 34-year-old driver who had a valid border crossing card

Border agents have previously dealt with drug dealers attempting to smuggle their illegal substances into the United States with food.

Drug dealers using bananas are the most popular tactic.

Other foods used include Gouda cheese and avocados.

In December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine in containers of jalapeno pasta at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In the past, products such as green beans, flour, sugar and sweets were also supplied by drug dealers.