C.B.P. News Release

California CBP Officers Discover Large Amount of Heroin in Muffler

(Thursday, February 11, 2010)

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry arrested a man after they discovered 49 pounds of heroin concealed inside the muffler of the pick-up truck he was driving.

Yesterday morning at about 7 a.m., a 45-year-old Mexicali man arrived at the Calexico East port of entry driving a maroon 1997 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. The primary officer became suspicious of the driver and referred him and the vehicle for a more in-depth inspection.

During inspection, utilization of a detector dog and the port’s X-ray imaging system led officers to the discovery of 19 packages of heroin valued at $833,000.

The driver was arrested and booked into the Imperial Country Jail. CBP seized the vehicle and contraband.

This seizure marks the largest heroin seizure this fiscal year for the San Diego Field Office.

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 ... 2010_3.xml