Agents stop attempts to smuggle drugs, people

By Eleanor Yang Su
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 2 a.m.

SOUTH COUNTY — More than $3.6 million in marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine was confiscated at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers over the weekend. Authorities also stopped 267 individuals from illegally entering the country, including four adults attempting to cross in San Ysidro hidden in compartments under the seats of a pickup.

The four individuals were caught at 3:45 a.m. Friday when authorities inspected a 1995 Ford F-150 truck driven by a 29-year-old U.S. citizen.

Inspectors found two large metal compartments attached to the under carriage of the truck, with two individuals hidden in each compartment. The driver and passenger face smuggling charges, and three of the illegal immigrants were held as material witnesses. The fourth was processed and returned to Mexico.

Border Patrol officials say the value of the drugs seized was higher than typical, probably because of the large amount of cocaine and methamphetamines involved. It included 101 pounds of cocaine, 144 pounds of methamphetamine and 775 pounds of marijuana.

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