CBP discover $838K worth of meth and cocaine under mattress

A 50-year-old man was arrested after agents discovered 256 packages of methamphetamine and cocaine hidden under a mattress in a tractor truck on Wednesday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

CBP said they encountered the man at approximately 7:26 p.m. driving a tractor pulling a trailer that entered the cargo facility carrying a manifested shipment of “green onions.”

The officer conducting the inspection detected abnormalities in the mattress located in the sleeper area and referred the truck and shipment for an x-ray examination.

The x-ray exam showed an anomaly and sent the truck and shipment to the dock for a more intensive examination.

CBP said officers found 252 wrapped packages of methamphetamine and four packages of cocaine hidden under the mattress in the tractor cab’s sleeper area.

The weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 305 pounds and the cocaine weighed six pounds.

The narcotics have a combined estimated street value of $838,000.

“Commercial commodities that cross through the port of entry are vital to our economy and to our region. We have to protect and secure this essential supply chain,” said Area Port Director David Salazar. “The enforcement efforts demonstrated in this seizure exhibit how CBP guards and protects our community.”

CBP officers seized the tractor, trailer, cargo shipment and narcotics.

The 50-year-old driver was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and officers turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing.

CBP said he was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.