Methamphetamine disguised as shipment of watermelons seized at U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego

By The Associated Press

September 02, 2024 at 10:10 am CDT

A fake watermelon, used to disguised a shipment of methamphetamines, is shown after a bust by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Aug. 16 in Otay Mesa, California.

A fake watermelon, used to disguised a shipment of methamphetamines, is shown after a bust by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Aug. 16 in California. (AP photo/AP)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A truckload of methamphetamine disguised as a shipment of watermelons was seized at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing in San Diego, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

The methamphetamine, valued at more than $5 million, was found Aug. 16 when the cargo aboard a tractor-trailer from Mexico was unloaded for a detailed inspection, the agency said in a statement.

Among real watermelons, officers found 1,220 packages wrapped in paper colored to look like watermelon skins.

The total weight of the packages amounted to 4,587 pounds and testing determined the contents were methamphetamine, the agency said.

The truck driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.