CBP News Release:

Within 6 Hours, 2 Meth Seizures Made at Calexico Downtown Port
Narcotic Valued at Nearly $200,000

(Wednesday, August 27, 2008)

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico Downtown port of entry intercepted two narcotic smuggling attempts worth nearly $200,000 within a six hour period, officials announced today.

The most recent interception occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, August 25, when a 30-year-old U.S. citizen driving a black 1999 Ford Expedition with California license plates was escorted to the secondary inspection area for an intensive examination after a human/narcotic detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

At the secondary lot, further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of seven wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed within the undercarriage area.

The packages weighed a total of 12 pounds with a street value of over $100,000.

The male driver, a resident of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The other smuggling attempt occurred earlier that day at about 9:30 a.m. when a white 1993 Chevrolet Cheyenne pick-up truck with Baja California plates was escorted to the secondary examination area after the primary officer detected anomalies in the undercarriage area of the vehicle.

During the secondary intensive examination, the utilization of a canine and x-ray equipment led officers to the discovery of six plastic containers of methamphetamine concealed under the vehicle.

The weight of the narcotic was six pounds with a street value of nearly $67,000.

The driver, a Mexican citizen and resident of Mexicali, was turned over to ICE for further investigation. 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

no address available at this time

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

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone: (202) 344-1770 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax: (202) 344-1393

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