A shipment of kale with over $38 million worth of Methamphetamine was recently seized at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility in California.
California border officials seize more than $38 million worth of meth tucked inside shipment of kale https://t.co/aevy0q1QIx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 1, 2023
The drugs were discovered when a truck carrying kale was stopped for inspection. During the stop, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found nearly 300 packages hidden within the kale shipment, according to officials.
Authorities verified that the packages tested positive for methamphetamine weighing nearly 6,000 pounds.
“The collaborative effort of our CBP officers to achieve a common goal is remarkably inspiring,” Port Director for the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility, Rosa Hernandez, said. “Our officers exemplify this every day as they dedicate themselves to protecting and serving their communities with unwavering commitment and outstanding work.”
Recently, an initial inspection led a CBP officer to refer the truck for further examination. The drugs were found, and officers then seized the vehicle. The driver was then detained for attempting to smuggle drugs and turned over to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The incident occurred at approximately noon.
According to author Sam Quinones, Methamphetamine is an addictive drug but has been significantly modified in the past because of new manufacturing methodologies. Although most meth was made with ephedrine, the drug now uses phenyl-2-propanone (P2P).
When combined with the opioid crisis, officials have linked P2P meth with the U.S.’s mental illness and homeless “epidemic.” Side effects of P2P meth include “violent paranoia, hallucinations, conspiracy theories, isolation, massive memory loss, [and] jumbled speech.” The drug can make people with no history of mental illness “go mad,” Quinones noted.
Separately, CBP authorities at Hidalgo International Bridge in Texas seized nearly $2 million in cocaine aboard a commercial bus.
“Our frontline CBP officers remain dedicated to our border security mission and seizures like this one underscore that commitment to the mission,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry said.
“Our officers continue to utilize an effective combination of experience, technology and canines to zero-in on hard narcotics loads that try to blend in with regular traffic,” Rodriguez added.
The drugs seized in Texas have a value of $1.7 million. CBP seized the narcotics, and DHS is investigating the incident.
