Over 600 Pounds Of Meth Concealed In Celery Shipment At CA Border​

SAN DIEGO, CA — Authorities found more than 600 pounds of meth concealed in a shipment of celery at the U.S.-Mexico border.

A K-9 alerted officers to the presence of drugs during a secondary inspection of a commercial tractor-trailer Aug. 9 at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Officers found 508 packages of meth hidden within the celery. The drugs weighed nearly 630 pounds and were valued at $755,000.

"Our officers' vigilance and expertise once again thwarted an attempt to smuggle narcotics disguised as everyday produce," said Rosa E. Hernandez, port director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. "This discovery underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the perils of drug trafficking."

The driver, a 34-year-old man with a valid border-crossing card, was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations, according to CBP. His name was not released.

Officers seized the narcotics and commercial tractor-trailer.