The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the seizure of 2,585 pounds of methamphetamine worth around $3.2 million disguised as produce on Monday, Aug. 12. DEA agents made the discovery at the Atlanta State Farmers’ Market in Georgia.
“This was contained in a cover load of celery,” Robert Murphy, the DEA special agent in charge, said. “It was hiding in the celery. Obviously, we threw the celery away. That didn’t make it to the store.”
The DEA said that this is the largest drug seizure by the Atlanta division ever and the third largest find by the agency so far in 2024.
DEA officials said that they were given a tip about a semitrailer loaded with the drugs traveling across the Mexican border. The agency was able to track the truck to the Atlanta State Farmers’ Market.
Authorities found the meth inside the truck at the farmers’ market. The driver of the truck, Jesus Martinez, a Mexican national, was arrested.
Murphy said that the significant quantity of the drugs found “shows the confidence of the cartel behind this.”
This bust isn’t the only case of smugglers disguising drug distribution this year. Six men have been charged as part of a so-called “drug empire” for allegedly hiding millions of dollars’ worth of meth and cocaine inside bluetooth karaoke speakers. The men supposedly smuggled the drug-filled devices from California to Pennsylvania.
