Drug traffickers came up with a creative plan to get their product into the country, but their plans were thwarted by eagle-eyed officials who noticed something looked suspicious about the product they were inspecting.
U.S. border agents discovered a truck carrying more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine packed inside fake watermelons.
The alleged perpetrators wrapped the methamphetamine in plastic containers and used two shades of green paint to try to conceal the drugs in the containers, which were supposedly supposed to be fruit.
A total of 1,220 packages were seized, equivalent to 4,587 pounds of methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine, also known as meth for short, comes in highly addictive pill or powder form.
US border agents have discovered a truck carrying more than $5 million worth of methamphetamines inside fake watermelons
The alleged perpetrators wrapped the methamphetamine in plastic wrap and used two shades of green paint to try to conceal the drug in the fruit-like container.
The discovery came on August 16, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials inspected a truck hauling a trailer in the Mexican border town of Otay Mesa.
The 29-year-old commercial tractor driver was arrested by Homeland Security officials.
Otay Mesa Harbor Area Port Director Rosa E. Hernandez said, “I am incredibly proud of our team for their exceptional work over the past several weeks in uncovering sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods,” according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
She continued: “As drug cartels continue to develop 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 a week earlier, on August 9, another drug seizure was made in a huge shipment of celery, which contained 508 packages of drugs inside.
The K-9 unit had used a sniffer dog, which alerted to the presence of methamphetamine in the products, resulting in an estimated street value of $755,000.
The celery contained nearly 629 pounds of methamphetamine, which was allegedly being transported by a 34-year-old driver, who had a legitimate border crossing card.
According CBS NewsBoth drug shipments had a total value of six million dollars.
The seizures were made under the umbrella of Operation Apollo, a holistic group based in California and Arizona whose mission is to put an end to fentanyl trafficking.
Just a week earlier, on August 9, another drug seizure was made in a huge shipment of celery, which contained 508 packages inside.
The K-9 unit had used a sniffer dog, which alerted to the methamphetamine in the celery, resulting in an estimated value of $755,000.
The celery contained nearly 629 pounds of methamphetamine, which was allegedly being transported by a 34-year-old driver who had a legitimate border crossing card.
Border agents have previously had to deal with drug traffickers attempting to use food to disguise their illegal substances in the United States.
The most popular tactic among drug traffickers has been the use of bananas.
Other foods that have been used include Gouda cheese and avocados.
In December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials discovered more than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine inside containers of jalapeno paste at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Previously, products such as green beans, flour, sugar and sweets were also supplied by drug traffickers.