C.B.P. News Release

Calexico CBP Officers Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt

(Tuesday, October 07, 2008)

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry intercepted a narcotic smuggling attempt worth over $ 350,000, officials announced today.

The enforcement action occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on Monday, when a blue 2001 Volkswagen Jetta with California plates was escorted to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 19 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside a specially built compartment in the rear passenger seat area. The total weight of the narcotics is 49 pounds.

The driver, a 27-year-old female U.S. citizen and Mexicali resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both the narcotic 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_4.xml