Thread: CBP Arrest Fugitive , Interdict Two Narcotic Smuggling Att.

CBP Officers at Calexico Arrest Fugitive and Interdict Two Narcotic Smuggling Attempts

(Tuesday, May 19, 2009)




Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico ports over the weekend arrested a fugitive wanted for embezzlement and interdicted two narcotic smuggling attempts worth over three quarters of a million dollars, officials announced today.


The fugitive arrest occurred on Sunday, May 17, at about 8:46 a.m., when a CBP officer encountered a 47-year-old female Mexican citizen as she entered the Calexico East port as a passenger in a vehicle. The primary officer conducted law enforcement queries revealing the woman was wanted. The woman was escorted to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.


During the secondary inspection, CBP confirmed the identity of the woman and that she was the subject of the outstanding warrant issue by the Baja California State Ministerial Police. She was transferred to the custody of Mexican authorities.


The first narcotic interception occurred on Saturday, May 16, at about 10:45 a.m., when CBP officers working a pre-primary enforcement operation at the Calexico downtown port encountered a northbound traveler driving a burgundy 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. A Human/Narcotic detector dog alerted officers to the presence of narcotics as the dog screened the vehicle while the driver waited in line for inspection. Both the driver and vehicle were escorted to the secondary inspection area for a more in-depth investigation.


An intensive examination of the vehicle led officers to the discovery of 13 packages of cocaine concealed under the back seat. The packages of cocaine weighed 32 pounds and had a street value of $288,000.


The driver, a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen from Calexico, was arrested on federal drug smuggling charges. The driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents.


CBP officers seized the cocaine and the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix.


The second narcotic interception occurred a day earlier at about 3:15 p.m., when a CBP officer conducting vehicle primary inspections at the Calexico East port of entry encountered two northbound travelers in a tan 1995 Honda Accord with California license plates. During the interview process, the officer developed information that led him to escort the two individuals and vehicle to the secondary examination area for further inspection.


During the secondary examination, officers utilized a detector dog to lead them to 20 packages of cocaine concealed in the vehicle’s seat rests and quarter panels. Total weight of the narcotic was 56 pounds with a street value of $504,000.


The driver, a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen of Morgan Hill, California, and passenger, a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of Mexicali, Baja California, were arrested on federal drug smuggling charges. Both the driver and passenger were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents.


CBP officers seized both the cocaine and the 1995 Honda Accord.


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_4.xml

Where are all the guns we're supposed to be finding?