The driver of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado probably thought a spare tire made for a decent hiding spot. But on October 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego (and their K9) saw things differently.

Inside that tire space (and nearly every other cavity they could open) officers uncovered a staggering 72 packages of heroin. The total haul weighed nearly 290 pounds and carried an estimated street value north of $13 million.

The driver, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent U.S. resident, pulled up to the checkpoint at 5:05 p.m.

According to the agency’s press release, he told U.S. Customs officers he was headed to Santa Ana, California.

A trained detection dog quickly zeroed in on the Silverado’s rear end. Officers pulled the truck aside for a deeper look.

“Nonintrusive imaging” revealed suspicious areas in the spare tire well, rear seat, air filter area, and even the glove box.

Once the compartments were opened, the U.S. Customs officers found layer upon layer of neatly wrapped packages

A quick field test confirmed the contents were heroin.

Authorities detained the driver on the spot. Homeland Security Investigations agents took over the federal case.

The Silverado bust adds to a string of large narcotics seizures a ports this year

On October 1, officers in Laredo, Texas, discovered more than 200 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a pickup truck’s floor panels and rear wall during a routine inspection.

Under federal law, a smuggling conviction carries prison sentences up to 20 years. If drivers aren’t legal citizens, deportation and loss of eligibility are also possible.

By the way, the Silverado pictured above is not the one U.S. Customs inspected.