By Steve Neavling
CBP officers intercepted more than 3.5 million fentanyl pills that were hidden inside a shipment of green beans at the Ota Mesa port of entry in California, the agency announced Tuesday.
The estimated street value of the blue pills, which weighed 776 pounds, is $21.1 million.
CBP officers discovered the stash in a tractor trailer driven by a 48-year-old man on Monday.
After CBP officers conducted a non-intrusive inspection and observed irregularities, a canine alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.
Officers found 308 packages of fentanyl concealed in the shipment of green beans.
“CBP recognizes our officers’ exceptional performance and applaud their continued efforts to protect and serve our communities,” Rosa Hernandez, port director for the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility, said. “This seizure provides insight and displays how our officers work together in collaboration to keep this dangerous drug off the streets.”
Officers arrested the driver and turned him over to ICE.
