CBP officers seize $4 million worth of narcotics hidden within a shipment of Brussels sprouts

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East Cargo Facility, seize $4 million worth of narcotics in a tractor-trailer containing Brussels sprouts.

On June 2, at approximately 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 the 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.

During the inspection, CBP officers discovered and extracted a total of 148 packages concealed within the floor and roof of the trailer. The narcotics were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a total weight of 2,052.20 pounds, with an estimated street value of $4,309,620.

“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. Excellent work by our CBP officers.”

The driver was detained for the alleged narcotics smuggling attempt. CBP officers turned the driver over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further disposition.

CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, and narcotics.

CBP officers at the border crossing in Southern California stop illegal activity while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.

Follow the Director of CBP’s San Diego Field Office on Twitter at @DFOSanDiegoCA for breaking news, current events, human interest stories, and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.