A truckload of Brussels sprouts inspected earlier this month at the Customs and Border Protection's Calexico East Cargo Facility was also found to be carrying over a ton of methamphetamine valued at about $4.3 million.
On June 2, at about 7:28 p.m., CBP officers encountered the 51-year-old male driver of a tractor-trailer, with a shipment manifested for Brussels sprouts. During initial inspection, a CBP officer referred the driver and tractor-trailer for further examination.
At the inspection area, a non-intrusive inspection was conducted of the tractor-trailer and its shipment, when irregularities were observed. CBP officers requested a CBP human/narcotics detector dog to screen the cargo, to which he alerted CBP officers to the presence of narcotics, according to a statement from the CBP.
Customs and Border Patrol
CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, and narcotics.
The driver was detained for the alleged narcotics smuggling attempt. CBP officers turned the driver over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations for further disposition.
“Smugglers are constantly utilizing innovative methods to conceal narcotics,” said Roque Caza, Calexico Area Port Director. “By combining officer intuition and utilizing advanced technology, officers were able to make a notable discovery within a shipment of produce."
