Border Officials Seize $5M Worth of Meth Disguised as Watermelons

On August 16, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a tractor-trailer attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in California. Upon inspection, officers at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry Commercial Facility in San Diego discovered 1,220 packages of meth, totaling 4,587 pounds, disguised as watermelons inside the trailer. The estimated street value of the drugs is over $5 million.

"I am incredibly proud of our team for their exceptional work over the past few weeks in uncovering sophisticated and diverse smuggling methods," stated Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. "As drug cartels continue to evolve their smuggling techniques, we will continue finding new and better ways to prevent these dangerous drugs and other contraband from entering the country."

The seizure is a testament to the ongoing efforts of Operation Apollo, a collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence and intercept drug smuggling attempts. The operation, which launched in Southern California in October 2023 and expanded to Arizona in April 2024, will soon extend to the El Paso region in West Texas and New Mexico.

Sources:

• CBP Officers Discover $5 Million Worth of Methamphetamine Disguised as Watermelons
• Operation Apollo Expands to Texas and New Mexico