“Socalj” for Borderland Beat


US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers seized a narcotics shipment concealed within pallets of radishes, at the Calexico Port of Entry in Calexico, California on January 31. A week prior,     was seized from another shipment of radishes at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, California.

4,563 Pound Meth Seizure in Calexico

On Jan. 31, at approximately 7:15 p.m., CBP officers encountered a 24-year-old male driver of a tractor-trailer, with a shipment manifested for radishes. 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. A CBP K-9 was dispatched to screen the shipment, and the dog alerted CBP officers to the presence of narcotics.
During the inspection, CBP officers discovered and extracted a total of 1,590 packages concealed within the shipment of radishes. The narcotics were tested and identified as methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 4,563 pounds, and an estimated street value of $5,475,600.

“Outstanding work by our CBP officers,” said Roque Caza, Port Director for Calexico Port of Entry. “These smuggling attempts are efforts to deceive and misguide us; however, our officers and law enforcement partners are always working together to improve the safety of our communities.”

The driver, a Mexican citizen, was detained for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.  CBP officers turned the driver over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further disposition. CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, and narcotics.

Otay Mesa Cargo Facility CBP officers seized narcotics from a radish shipment on Jan. 29, 2023.

San Diego Seizure

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said officers assigned to the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility uncovered a large amount of narcotics within a shipment of radishes on Sunday.

A 23-year-old man from Mexico was driving a tractor-trailer around 1:12 p.m. when CBP officers referred him, along with the vehicle, for further inspection. During the check, officials say a K-9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.

At that time, officers discovered drugs concealed within pallets of radishes. The man was detained for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt, CBP said.

“Perseverance, that is the key principle for success,” said Rosa Hernandez, Otay Mesa Port
Director. “Our CBP officers are the prime example of applying this practice because, as we all
know, things are not always what they seem.”

Officers turned the driver over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further disposition. CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, and narcotics. Officials did not disclose how much street value the seizure amounted to but noted it was a “large” amount of narcotics.