C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers at Calexico Ports Seize More Than $400K in Narcotics Over the Weekend

(Monday, June 27, 2011)

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry seized $438,000 worth of narcotics in two unrelated incidents over the weekend.

The first incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at the Calexico downtown port when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred a 20-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a black 2000 Kia Sorrento for further inspection.

In the secondary area, CBP officers conducted an intensive examination that included a canine screening that led to the discovery of 15 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside a non-factory compartment underneath the rear seat of the vehicle. The weight of the narcotic was 41 pounds with a street value of $369,000.

The driver, a resident of Mexicali, Baja California, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

The second incident occurred at about 9p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at the Calexico East port of entry when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred a black 2009 Kia Spectra with female occupants for further inspection.

In the secondary area, a canine team was screening vehicles when it alerted to the vehicle. Upon closer examination, officers discovered that the female occupants concealed wrapped packages of heroin internally within their bodies. The total combined weight of the heroin was three pounds with a street value of approximately $69,000.

The three females, all U.S. citizens and residents of Los Angeles and Compton, California, were arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

In both incidents, the violators were turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further processing.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicles.

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 Campos
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (760) 768-2625

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2011_7.xml