Almost 200 Pounds Of Liquid Meth Seized By Authorities In Otay Mesa

OTAY MESA, CA — Authorities seized nearly 200 pounds of liquid methamphetamine from the fuel tank of a tractor trailer attempting to enter the Otay Mesa cargo facility, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said Saturday.

Around 8:40 p.m. on Aug. 7, a 25-year-old man was pulled over by CBP officers, and was flagged for a second hands-on inspection, during which, officers noticed a liquid substance crystallizing in the fuel tank. The substance was tested and identified as liquid methamphetamine.

Officers removed the meth, and it was poured into a half-dozen five-gallon buckets, with a total weight of 195 pounds. The estimated street value was $221,500.

"This unusual concealment method shows that drug traffickers will try anything to get their product across our borders," said Rosa Hernandez, port director for the Otay Mesa port of entry.

"I am proud of the remarkable job our Otay Mesa CBP officers do every day, because even in this extreme weather, they do not lower their guard when it comes to protecting our nation's borders."

The driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further disposition. No other passengers were reported.

— City News Service