CBP Seizes Nearly 1,600 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Tomatillos at Otay Mesa, Worth $2.5 Million

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry seized nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a commercial shipment of tomatillos, a haul officials put at a street value of nearly $2.5 million.

The seizure was announced Oct. 16 at a news conference hosted by CBP's Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.

"While our nation's borders are the safest and most secure in history, this CBP seizure shows that drug cartels are not going away," said CBP San Diego Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki. "These dangerous criminal networks will stop at nothing to increase their profits and release their deadly poison into neighborhoods and communities across the United States."

Seizures up, crossings down

According to figures presented at the conference and reported by FOX 5/KUSI, drug seizures along the San Diego border rose more than 1,200% in fiscal year 2026, while arrests for illegal border crossings dropped sharply.

San Diego Air and Marine Branch Director Daniel Jonas said his personnel seized more than 302,000 pounds of drugs and more than $4.5 million in illicit currency in fiscal 2026 while expanding maritime patrol activity.

"Cartels are adapting their smuggling tactics, including attempts to exploit the maritime domain, but the San Diego Air and Marine Branch is prepared to meet that threat," Jonas said in the CBP release.

U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre said the sector has significantly reduced attempts to enter the country illegally by enforcing existing laws.

"By disrupting criminal smuggling networks and holding people accountable, we have achieved the safest border environment I've seen in my career," De La Torre said.

FOX 5/KUSI reported that the San Diego sector recorded more than 320,000 arrests for illegal entry in fiscal year 2024, compared with just over 11,000 in fiscal year 2026, and that federal authorities have brought what officials described as the nation's first narco-terrorism charge in San Diego, followed by additional charges targeting cartel leaders in Mexico.