US Customs and Border Protection agents apprehended a tractor trailer carrying what appeared to be a shipment of watermelons near Tucson, Arizona late Thursday. However, upon closer look, X-rays revealed that the "fruit" was actually packages of marijuana expertly painted to look like watermelons.
The faux-melon bandit had already made it 20 miles into the US before being stopped at a second checkpoint by Tucson.
Drug cartel tried to smuggle marijuana painted to look like watermelon https://t.co/DGeIqTupcE pic.twitter.com/S5O1OE3KbL
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) June 21, 2014The total value of the marijuana hidden within the fake fruit was estimated in the millions, according to Drug Enforcement Administration officials who took custody of the evidence.
"These criminals use a lot of unique ways to try to conceal their narcotics," Tucson border patrol agent Bryan Flowers told Fox News. "We've seen individuals use false compartments in the seats and gas tanks. We've also found marijuana in tractor trailers here before."
The last watermelon citing was in April 2010, when agents found 9,500 pounds hidden inside a shipment of real watermelons. Tasty.
