Tiny crystals found on a gas tank of a tractor-trailer undergoing federal inspection in California led to the arrest of a Mexican national and the seizure of nearly half a ton of methamphetamine.
Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 944 pounds of liquid methamphetamine concealed in the passenger-side fuel tank of a 2019 Kenworth T680 at the Otay Mesa California Import Cargo Facility earlier this week.
According to a complaint, on March 2 at about 11:20 a.m., a Customs and Border Protection officer observed a white, crystalline substance atop the passenger-side fuel tank.
Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 29 buckets-worth of liquid concealed in the passenger-side fuel tank of the vehicle, with a total approximate weight of 944.90 lbs. A sample of the substance contained within the fuel tank field tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.
The driver, Oscar Alonzo Cesena Camacho, a Mexican citizen traveling on a business visa, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance.
Camachi was charged with Importation of a controlled substance. The maximum penalty for the offense life in prison with mandatory minimum 10 years, $10 million fine.
The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
