On October 27, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Tecate Cargo Facility seized over $3 million worth of marijuana inside a shipment of clay pots, found during a routine inspection.
The interception originated when the CBP officers referred a commercial tractor-trailer carrying decorative clay planters for further evaluation. They discovered 132 packages, weighing in at nearly 1,719.16 pounds in total, filled with marijuana, per U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
To demonstrate the important work in border security, Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa Hernandez praised officers, stating, "Illegal marijuana continues to be a concern under federal law, making these interceptions key in our border security mission".
Scanning technology, often used in the process of screening incoming shipments and vehicles, showcased its importance during this incident. It recognized suspicious anomalies enclosed in the decorative clay pots, leading to the uncovering of the hidden marijuana packages. Such technological tools, along with canine units, are indispensable for intercepting smuggled goods.
