Some of the packages of cocaine and fentanyl powder found hidden in a flatbed truck at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. (Courtesy: CBP)

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered 360 pounds of fentanyl powder and cocaine hidden in a flatbed trailer at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility.

According to CBP, this is the largest raid so far this fiscal year, which began on October 1.

The discovery was made last Friday when a 44-year-old man approached the inspection site with a semi-trailer and an empty flatbed trailer.

According to CBP, the driver had a valid border crossing pass.

Officials sent him and the vehicle for a second inspection, which involved examining the tractor and flatbed trailer using “non-invasive inspection technology.”

The search revealed anomalies.

A canine team was called to search the flatbed trailer, and the dog alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.

After an extensive investigation, CBP officers discovered packages hidden in a non-factory-designed compartment in the frame of the flatbed trailer.

In total, CBP officers seized 77 packages of cocaine weighing 227.96 pounds and 50 packages of fentanyl powder weighing 133.60 pounds.

The driver was turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.

The narcotics, tractor-trailer and trailer were seized by CBP officers.

“This record-breaking seizure is a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.”
said Rosa Hernandez, port director of the Otay Mesa Regional Ports. “Hiding such an enormous amount of fentanyl and cocaine in a flatbed trailer shows the lengths to which smugglers are willing to go and is further evidence of the extraordinary vigilance and hard work our officers perform on a daily basis.”