The border patrol officers have seized a record-breaking amount of meth at one of Arizona’s port of entries.
The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed last week that they seized meth that is worth $12.4 million at the Mexico-Arizona border.
Officers at the Nogales Commercial Facility seized the large supply of methamphetamine on March 9, 2020, from a Mexican national.
The man was reportedly trying to enter the United States of America through the Port of Nogales.
The drugs were discovered concealed in a hidden compartment in the floor of a tractor-trailer, which was carrying vegetables and fruits.
The tractor was being driven by the 34-year-old man.
Officers found 313 kilograms of meth from the truck.
The seize has been named as the largest methamphetamine load in Arizona ports history, said the US Customs and Border Protection.
Officers discovered over 600 packages of drugs inside the tractor-trailer, which they were alerted to by a CBP narcotics detection dog.
According to reports, the street value of the drug is at around $12.4 million.
Michael Humphries, the Area Port Director, released a statement about the incident.
The director said: “CBP Officers are focused on our highest priorities which includes stopping the flow of hard narcotics such as methamphetamine and opioids from entering our country.”
The director added: “Our officers prevented these dangerous drugs from causing devastation to families and ultimately saving many lives, not only in our community but throughout the United States.”
The truck driver, whose name was not shared with the public, was turned over to the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security and Investigations.
Juan Mariscal, the Nogales Assistant Special Agent in Charge for HIS, released a statement about the massive haul.
Juan said: “As proud partners of CBP, we stand ready to investigate drug seizures discovered at the ports of entry by those who are uniquely qualified in stopping attempts of illicit drugs from entering the United States.”
The statement added: “HSI remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
The drug bust was part of a large operation that was held between March 5 and March 10, 2020.
In this time, officers seized over 1,000 pounds of meth, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin from commercial, personal, and pedestrian vehicles.
Not only that, 4000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition that were headed towards Mexico were also confiscated by the police.
The director of the port said that March 9, 2020, bust stood out from the rest because the police were dealing with a major international criminal organization.
The director said: “We’re not dealing with a street peddler or anything like that. We’re dealing with a major international criminal organization… just because of the sheer amount.”