[CBP, San Diego] – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa cargo port of entry discovered almost 4,600 pounds of marijuana hidden inside of drawers within a shipment of furniture.

“CBP officers in San Diego produce results, they’ve started the fiscal year with a significant seizure,” said Pete Flores, CBP director of field operations for San Diego. “Because of their dedication to our mission, they continue to stop dangerous things and people from entering our community.”

On Oct. 6, at about 12 p.m., a 43-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 1996 Kenworth tractor pulling a trailer with cargo manifested as furniture, entered the commercial port of entry. CBP officers noticed anomalies with the trailer, that the driver was nervous and referred him and the conveyance for an intensive examination.

CBP officers screened the truck using the port’s imaging system and found anomalies with the front wall of the trailer. Officers offloaded the shipment, unwrapped the furniture, and when they pulled out the drawers they discovered large wrapped packages within. CBP officers determined the 396 packages contained marijuana, with an estimated street value of almost $2.8 million.

The driver was arrested and turned over the custody of Homeland Security Investigations special agents.

CBP officers seized the tractor and trailer, the furniture, and the marijuana.

In fiscal year 2014, CBP officers at the ports of entry along the California border with Mexico seized 132,075 pounds of marijuana.