An emergency call helped police uncover a drug-smuggling scheme involving the “blind mule” tactic in Tijuana’s Calete neighborhood.
The situation began when a delivery woman visited the Bastardos restaurant to complete a sale arranged through Facebook. She handed over the merchandise to a person identifying herself as ‘Valeria.’ Shortly after, Valeria requested additional products and asked the delivery woman to return quickly with the new order.
After briefly leaving to fulfill the new request, the delivery woman returned and noticed something unusual upon opening her Ford Fiesta’s trunk: a spare tire that had not been there before.
Suspecting something was wrong, she left the area and called the authorities, waiting for them along Agua Caliente Boulevard. When police arrived, they inspected the trunk and found the spare tire had a cut on its side. Inside the tire, mounted on a black metal rim, officers discovered several clear plastic packages containing a granular substance consistent with methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.
The tire was seized and handed over to the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), where the substance was officially weighed, totaling 23.36 pounds (11.645 kilograms).
To protect innocent vehicle owners from becoming victims of “blind mule” schemes—where drugs or illegal goods are hidden in vehicles without the owner’s knowledge—the local Department of Security and Citizen Protection offers the following safety recommendations:
- Inspect your vehicle carefully before and after parking, especially in public places.
- Never leave your vehicle unlocked.
- Stay alert if strangers attempt to distract or detain you without a clear reason.
- Avoid accepting help or unusual requests from unknown individuals.
- Immediately report any unfamiliar objects found in your vehicle to 911 or via the official emergency app.
The Tijuana government urges citizens to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activity. Community cooperation is key to enhancing safety for everyone.
