CALEXICO, CA - We regret to report that yet another fresh produce shipment has fallen victim to the hands of illegal drug smugglers. A shipment of watermelons was intercepted by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico East Cargo Facility, containing $1.5 million worth of cocaine.

On Wednesday of last week, CBP officers encountered the driver of a truck and trailer who presented a valid border crossing card. During the initial inspection, a CBP officer referred the driver along with the shipment to the dock for an intensive examination.

During the exam, a press release explained, a CBP canine team screened the tractor-trailer and alerted to the shipment. There, officers discovered and removed 22 wrapped packages of cocaine, with a combined weight of nearly 120 pounds, concealed within the plastic pallets.

The 41-year-old male driver was arrested and turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation. The cocaine, tractor, and trailer were seized by CBP officers.

Once again, we thank the CBP officers working to protect the integrity of fresh produce.