CBP News Release

U.S. Citizen Arrested for Narcotics Smuggling Attempt at Calexico West Port

(Tuesday, September 23, 2008)

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico West port of entry on Monday intercepted a narcotic smuggling attempt worth over $ 400,000, officials announced today.

The enforcement action occurred at about 9:30 a.m. when a black 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with California plates was escorted to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

In the examination area, the utilization of x-ray equipment led officers to the discovery of 20 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed within the vehicle’s rocker panels. The total weight of the narcotics was 51 pounds.

The driver, a 19-year-old female Holtville resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both the narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release

John M. Campos
Phone: (760) 768-2625 or
(760) 802-6488

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2008_5.xml