Four arrested in record-breaking bust that yields 5,000 lbs. of meth in San Diego

Authorities arrested four men from Tijuana, Mexico, last week after they were caught attempting to smuggle over 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine over the US-Mexico border through San Diego.

The drug bust, according to authorities, is the largest in San Diego history. Officials first spotted the 20-foot box truck as it crossed the border and began following the vehicle. The truck stopped about 17 miles from the border in National City, where the men began unloading dozens of cardboard boxes from the back. The men transferred the boxes into a Dodge minivan, according to authorities.

The men were arrested at the scene and authorities say the boxes they had unloaded contained approximately 148 bundles containing methamphetamine. Rafael Alzua, 37; Mario Contreras, 41; Ethgar Velazquez, 44; and Galdrino Contreras, 41, were all arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

“This is a significant accomplishment by our law enforcement partners. Due to stellar work by law enforcement agents, the government stopped more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine from being distributed on our streets,” said US Attorney Randy Grossman in a statement from the US Attorney’ Office for the Southern District of California.

“This monumental seizure represents another win against drug cartels that fuel addiction in the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe. “Because of our great partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to disrupt the cartels’ flow of drugs into our cities.”

The four men, if convicted, face a minimum sentence of ten years in prison and a possible $10 million fine, and up to life in prison.