C.B.P. News Release

CBP in San Diego Seizes Almost 90 Pounds of Cocaine Valued at $2.1 Million

(Wednesday, October 29, 2008)

San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting border security operations seized almost 90 pounds of cocaine from a 26-year-old Mexican male yesterday at the Otay Mesa port of entry after he allegedly smuggled the narcotics into the United States, officials announced today.

The cocaine seized is valued at about $2.1 million.

Early Tuesday morning, at about 3:30 a.m., CBP officers encountered the San Ysidro, Calif., resident when he entered the port driving a 2001 Acura MDX. The primary officer discovered a discrepancy with the vehicle and escorted it and the driver to the secondary inspection area for a more in-depth examination.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a narcotic detector dog that alerted to the vehicle. Officers subsequently discovered an access panel in the floor of the vehicle and extracted 37 packages that field tested positive for cocaine.

The driver was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center to await arraignment in federal court for the failed smuggling attempt. The vehicle and narcotics 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
610 West Ash Street
Room 1200
San Diego, CA 92101 Angelica De Cima
OFO Office of Public Affairs Liaison
Phone: (619) 744-5292 Ext: 192/114
Fax: (619) 645-6641

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