Authorities seize 2.8 tons of meth and fentanyl along California border

Law enforcement officials last week seized 2.8 tons of methamphetamine and fentanyl powder at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing in San Diego, California. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Wednesday. Officials said that the drugs are estimated to be worth more than $12.9 million and that it is "believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in the nation's history."

"This amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine is enough to ruin countless lives and fund transnational criminal organizations," Pete Flores, CBP director of field operations in San Diego, said in a statement. "I'm proud of our officers' efforts at all Ports of Entry within the San Diego Field Office to intercept this and all smuggling attempts." Officials said that on August 5, CBP agents encountered Mexican citizen Carlos Gerardo Symonds Saavedra, 53, attempting to drive his truck and trailer across the border. The manifest indicated he was transporting a commercial shipment of plastic parts, according to the Department of Justice. An initial scan of the truck and trailer found "anomalies," according to CBP, requiring more detailed examination at an inspection dock. During this second inspection, a canine team indicated there were illicit drugs in the trailer.