Mexico: US Seizes Over 5,000 Pounds of Methamphetamine After Massive Drug Bust in San Diego County

Authorities in the United States have seized over 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine from attempted smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border. The illegal narcotics were seized inside a box truck that crossed the border last Thursday. Its port of entry was the Otay Mesa, according to the DEA.

Four men have been arrested, and all of them were from Tijuana, Mexico. They were identified as Rafael Alzua, 37; Mario Contreras, 41; Ethgar Velazquez, 44; and Galdrino Contreras, 41. CNN reported that they are facing charges of conspiracy to distribute the highly addictive drug. All four men are facing the possibility of life imprisonment and a fine worth $10 million.

Authorities Tracked Drug Smugglers to National City, California

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California and the Drug Enforcement Administration said that the 20-foot commercial truck carried 148 bundles of meth. Law enforcement authorities followed the vehicle to National City, California, where the four men began unloading cardboard boxes into a Dodge van. When they seized the cardboard boxes, they tested positive for methamphetamine, according to CBS News.

Shelly S. Howe, a special agent in charge at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, told the media that this drug bust was another "win against drug cartels." She then praised the other law enforcement agencies that took part in this huge drug bust and vowed that they will continue to disrupt the cartels' drug flow into the United States.

Federal authorities say the confiscated items weighed more than 5,000 pounds. CBS News reported that this may be one of the largest methamphetamine busts in San Diego County's history.

The Sand Diego County Sheriff's Department posted images of the illegal drugs they seized, along with the K-9 milo who helped authorities track them.

Methamphetamine Continues To Be a Threat to Americans

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive substance that usually takes powder form. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 23,000 Americans died from overdoses involving psychostimulants, the primary example being meth.

According to NBC News, this drug bust was larger than the 2,200 pounds that the DEA seized back in 2020. At that time, that was considered the largest domestic drug bust. This one eclipses that by more than twice the amount in pounds.

This latest San Diego drug bust is considered big, and U.S. authorities are stepping up their efforts to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs across the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in California previously seized over 400 pounds of various illegal drugs, including meth, cocaine, and heroin. They were concealed inside toolboxes, and the smugglers tried transporting them into the country. The CBP said that the estimated street value of the captured narcotics amounted to $2.56 million.

READ NEXT: El Chapo's Wife Emma Coronel Aispuro Could Be an Influencer Earning up to $10,000 per Publication Once She Gets Out of Prison

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 5K pounds of meth seized in San Diego - Fox 11 Los Angeles