The border is a major problem.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized tens of millions of dollars' worth of methamphetamine in recent months at the California-Mexico border.

     The CBP field office in San Diego seized $22 million worth of narcotics last July, including 3,888 pounds of methamphetamine worth $5.8 million, the agency said in a news release.  The amount seized by weight was significantly higher than any other drug but of lower value than cocaine and fentanyl seizures, estimated to be worth $7.9 million and $8.6 million respectively.

     The recent string of seizures began on last Aug. 7 when a 25-year-old male driver of a tractor-trailer applying for entry at the Otay Mesa cargo facility was referred for further scrutiny, the agency said in a statement.  CBP officers inspected the fuel tank and found a liquid substance inside that had begun to crystallize. It was tested by officers and identified as liquid methamphetamine.

     Ultimately, 30 gallons of the substance were removed from the fuel tank. Officials estimated the street value of the seized drugs to be worth $221,500.  "This unusual concealment method shows that drug traffickers will try anything to get their product across our borders," said Rosa Hernandez, Port Director for the Otay Mesa port of entry.