US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized nearly 200 pounds of liquid methamphetamine hidden in the fuel tank of a tractor, the agency announced.
Border agents in Otay Mesa, California, said a 25-year-old man driving a tractor trailer arrived at a CBP commercial facility to seek entry on Aug. 7. The officer who first encountered the man flagged down the vehicle for further inspection.
“CBP officers conduct a comprehensive hands-on inspection. While inspecting the tractor’s fuel tank, CBP officers noticed that the liquid in the tank had started to crystallize. The substance was tested by CBP officers and identified as liquid methamphetamine,” CBP said in a statement.
“The CBP officer removed liquid methamphetamine from the fuel tank of the tractor. The narcotics were placed in six five-gallon buckets weighing a total of 195.33 pounds. The estimated street value of the drug shipment is $221,500,” the statement continued.
Officers seized the narcotics, tractor and trailer attached, while the driver was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security.
“These extraordinary methods of concealment show that drug traffickers will do anything to get their products across our border,” said Rosa Hernandez, Port Director for the Otay Mesa port of entry, in a statement. “I’m proud of the incredible job our Otay Mesa CBP officers do every day, because even in this extreme weather, they don’t let their guard down when it comes to protecting our nation’s borders.”
The reported incident occurred when border agents seized $6 million worth of narcotics in a 72-hour period in late August.
A long line of trucks is seen stalled at the Zaragoza International Bridge, one of two ports of entry in Ciudad Juarez bound for the US on April 12, 2022.AP
US Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 200 pounds of liquid methamphetamine hidden in the fuel tank of a tractor last month.
US Customs and Border Protection officials watch cargo trucks enter the United States from Mexico through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California.Bloomberg
Cars line up to enter the United States at the San Ysidro crossing port on the Mexico-US border.AFP via Getty Images
In that incident, Border Patrol agents seized 186 pounds of liquid meth, 51 pounds of methamphetamine, two firearms and arrested two gang members.
Drugs and people smuggling remain major issues at the US-Mexico border, which has seen a huge spike in illegal crossings since President Biden took office in 2021.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
