An unidentified flying object flung over a border fence in southern Arizona turned out to be nearly 45 kilograms of marijuana, destined for dispersal throughout the United States.
Earlier this week, border patrol agents seized the haul after surveillance video showed a bundled object launching through the air over the fence from Mexico into the US.
Agents found a large, cylindrical, plastic-wrapped bundle worth about NZ$66,000.
Not only illegal, Border Patrol spokeswoman Stephanie Dixon told CBS News the practice was dangerous to residents because of the hefty weight. She said there was one incident where a bundle went through the roof of a dog kennel.
Ms Dixon said it was unknown what the smugglers used to eject this particular package, but they had been known to use homemade catapults and air cannons. A package that heavy would need a powerful launcher, she said.
High-pressure air cannons can launch heavy packages, and smugglers also use catapult-type launchers made out of wood.
The package was found the day after US President Donald Trump visited the border in Arizona, and enlivened his policy to build a wall between the two countries.
Despite many sections of the border being fenced, between 18 and 23 feet high, smugglers continue to throw drugs over and across. Mr Trump's critics say his wall won't do much to stop this strategy.
Last year, it was reported Mexican police found a stolen van with a three-metre air cannon to shoot projectiles across the border.
The smugglers cut a hole in the van's roof, and installed a cannon in the back to fire projectiles.
In the past, the most common form of smuggling involved throwing softball-sized marijuana packages over the fence, with smugglers paying residents on the US side to retrieve and disperse around the country.
Marijuana seizures have dropped in the region. In 2011, agents seized 454,000 kilograms, compared with 2016 where 330,215 kilograms were seized.
Newshub.
