Customs Seize $5 Million Meth Shipment in California

Mizoram police conducted a significant drug bust, seizing 4 lakh Methamphetamine tablets valued over Rs 5 crore, hidden inside electric air coolers in a goods carrier truck. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in California discovered over $5 million worth of methamphetamine concealed within a shipment of fake watermelons at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility. The operation led to the arrest of a 29-year-old driver attempting to smuggle the drug from Mexico, as part of Operation Apollo aimed at combating fentanyl smuggling. The Californian seizure involved 1,220 packages of meth, totaling 4,587 pounds, and reflects a broader trend, with CBP seizing nearly 146,000 pounds of meth in 2024. Authorities noted that synthetic stimulants like methamphetamine were responsible for approximately 30% of nearly 108,000 drug-related deaths in 2022. Both incidents highlight the evolving tactics of drug cartels in their smuggling operations.