Customs and Border Patrol officers in California recently intercepted a shipment of cocaine valued at almost $1.3 million dollars, and stashed in the fifth wheel of a flatbed trailer.
A statement from CBP said its officers at the Otay Mesa, Commercial Facility seized more than 167 pounds of the drug.
The seizure occurred Sept. 10, at about 12:40 p.m., when CBP officers encountered a 34-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer with an empty flatbed applying for entry from Mexico into the United States. A CBP K9 unit conducted a cursory inspection of the truck and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics, according to the agency. The driver, a valid border crossing card holder, was referred for further examination along with the tractor-trailer.
In the secondary inspection area, CBP officers utilized non-intrusive inspection technology to screen the truck, revealing anomalies. Upon inspecting the fifth wheel area of the tractor-trailer, CBP officers discovered and extracted 65 packages. The contents of the packages were tested and identified as cocaine, weighing a total of 167.11 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,270,000.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and commercial tractor-trailer. The driver was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
“Today, CBP officers showcased their unwavering commitment to securing our borders by seizing 167 pounds of cocaine ingeniously concealed within the fifth wheel area of a flatbed truck,” stated Rosa E. Hernandez, port director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. “This significant interdiction underscores the relentless efforts and vigilance of our officers in protecting our communities from the scourge of illegal narcotics. Our dedication to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the American public remains steadfast.”
