Marijuana Worth $1 Million Found In Onion Shipment
June 8, 2016 
CBP officers at the California Calexico East cargo facility discovered almost 2,500 pounds of marijuana concealed in the roof of a commercial trailer.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) officers at the Calexico East commercial facility in California stopped an alleged smuggling attempt Monday after discovering almost 2,500 pounds of marijuana concealed in the roof of a commercial trailer.
“Calexico CBP officers processed hundreds of commercial shipments that day and identified that this conveyance needed a more intensive inspection,” Calexico Port Director David Salazar said. “As a result, the officers stopped more than a ton of marijuana from entering our community, and prevented $1 million in potential profit from reaching criminal organizations.”
The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on June 6, when CBP officers encountered a 2009 International tractor-trailer that had entered the cargo facility transporting a manifested shipment of onions and shallots. Officers referred the commercial truck to the port’s inspection dock for a more in-depth examination.
During an inspection of the conveyance, and following an alert from a CBP narcotics detector dog, officers discovered 232 wrapped bundles concealed in the trailer’s roof.
The bundles field-tested positive as marijuana, valued at approximately $1 million.
The driver, a 28-year-old male Mexican citizen and resident of Mexicali, Baja California, was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing. CBP seized the marijuana, the truck and trailer.
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