More than 5,000lbs (2,200kg) of meth has been discovered hidden in a truck at the US-Mexico border in a “record-breaking” seizure, authorities have said.
Believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine busts in San Diego’s history, the stash contained 148 bundles of the drug.
Four men from Tijuana, in Mexico, have been charged as a result.
“This monumental seizure represents another win against drug cartels that fuel addiction in the United States,” said US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) special agent Shelly Howe.
“Because of our great partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to disrupt the cartels’ flow of drugs into our cities.”
In a tweet, San Diego’s sheriff recognised one member of the team for their hard work – a police dog named Milo.
“K-9 Milo is a very good boy after helping our deputies and law enforcement partners make one of the biggest methamphetamine busts in San Diego County history,” Sheriff Anthony Ray said.
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Officers found the illegal substance stashed inside a 20ft box truck that crossed the border on Thursday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California said.
After surveilling the truck, agents watched the defendants unload “dozens of cardboard boxes” into a Dodge van.
Rafael Alzua, 37, Mario Contreras, 41, Ethgar Velazquez, 44, and Galdrino Contreras, 41, were then apprehended by law enforcement officers and charged with conspiracy to distribute the drug.
If found guilty, they could face life in prison and a £8.4m ($10m) fine.
