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Authorities seize 6 tons of pot hidden in commercial truck

This Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows more than 15 tons of marijuana hidden in a truck that supposedly was hauling mattresses, which was seized by the Border Patrol at the Otay Mesa border crossing with Mexico in San Diego, Calif. Authorities say the truck's trailer was stacked floor to ceiling with plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana, which had an estimated street value of nearly $19 million. The Mexican driver was taken into custody. (AP Photo/U.S. Customs and Border Protection) This Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows more than 15 tons of marijuana hidden in a truck that supposedly was hauling mattresses, which was seized by the Border Patrol at the Otay Mesa border crossing with Mexico in San Diego, Calif. Authorities say the truck's trailer was stacked floor to ceiling with plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana, which had an estimated street value of nearly $19 million. The Mexican driver was taken into custody. (AP Photo/U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

By Associated Press March 12, 2015 1 min read

NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) – Authorities have found more than six tons of marijuana hidden in a truck that tried to cross into the United States from Mexico.

It was the third largest seizure in record at any Arizona port of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Nogales inspection facility for commercial vehicles found the 12,397 pounds of pot on Wednesday. The drugs were in a shipment that also contained water pump components.

Authorities say the driver of semi-tractor was Silvestre Tomas Camez-Mendoza, of Nogales, Sonora.

The marijuana is worth nearly $6.2 million.