In a significant drug bust at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility, officers seized over one million dollars worth of cocaine hidden within a commercial tractor-trailer. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the incident unfolded on September 10, when a 34-year-old man attempted to cross into the United States from Mexico. A CBP K9 unit was to initially inspect the vehicle, resulting in an alert that prompted a more thorough examination.
Officers employed advanced scanning technology at the secondary inspection area to quickly discern anomalies in the tractor-trailer. Their search led to the discovery of 65 packages cunningly concealed within the truck's fifth-wheel area. Testing confirmed the substance as cocaine, with a total weight of 167.11 pounds and an estimated street value of $1,270,000.00, as per a CBP report.
The drugs and commercial vehicle were seized, and the driver, whose name is not yet released, was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations. This seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a campaign launched by CBP to target fentanyl and other narcotics smuggling into the U.S. It began in southern California on October 26, 2023, and expanded to Arizona on April 10.
