EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Limes they were not.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 5.5 tons of marijuana disguised as shipment of limes.
It happened in the cargo area of the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego, CBP announced in a news release issued Friday.
Border Report: Live border cameras
CBP officers expected to find boxes filled with limes in a tractor-trailer driven by a 74-year-old Mexican man. But a secondary inspection revealed a massive load of marijuana worth an estimated $8.4 million, the release said.
In all, border officers discovered 468 large wrapped packages containing more than 11,000 pounds of the “leafy green substance.”
“Criminals and other bad actors will try to get past us, but CBP officers are focused on protecting our communities from illicit drugs,” Division Director Rosa Hernandez said in the release. “I am so proud of the officers for their efforts and know that they will continue to target these dangerous shipments.”
CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, cargo shipment, and marijuana, and turned the driver over to Homeland Security Investigations.
Border crime
- Game wardens seize illegally obtained seafood at South Texas border crossing
- CBP stops two vehicles full of bologna at El Paso ports of entry
- Bologna bust: Border officers seize prohibited pork product
- Corn pest: Border officers detect snout weevil for first time in agricultural shipment
- Odd little things: CBP airport inspectors keep potentially hazardous items out and grounded
