C.B.P.News Release

All in a Day’s Work:

CBP Makes 16 Narcotics Seizures in One Day at San Diego Ports of Entry

(Thursday, May 21, 2009)

San Diego, Calif. — In a 24-hour period, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at two San Diego ports of entry stopped more than half a ton of narcotics, estimated to be worth more than $700,000, from entering the United States.

On Tuesday, May 19, officers at the San Ysidro port of entry found 29 pounds of marijuana hidden inside boxes designed to appear like tool boxes inside a 1997 Econoline van.

On Tuesday, May 19, the seizures began at 2:40 a.m. when officers at the San Ysidro port of entry found 29 pounds of marijuana in a 1997 Econoline van. Officers referred the vehicle and driver for a closer inspection, where a narcotics detector dog alerted to metal boxes installed on the van’s interior. Officers discovered the marijuana hidden inside those boxes, designed to appear like tool boxes.

The 16th seizure of the day occurred at 6:35 p.m. at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry, when officers, with the help of a narcotics detector dog, found 24 pounds of heroin concealed in a 1999 Dodge Durango. After the dog alerted to the car, a closer inspection by officers revealed a specially built compartment near the engine, where smugglers had attempted to hide the heroin.

Throughout the day, officers made 12 marijuana seizures at the San Ysidro port of entry, totaling 962 pounds. In addition to the heroin seizure, officers at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry seized 170 pounds of marijuana in three incidents.

At 6:35 p.m. officers at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry, with the help of a narcotics detector dog, found 24 pounds of heroin concealed in a 1999 Dodge Durango.

Officers arrested 18 people in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempts.

Typically, CBP officers make an average of four narcotics seizures daily at these ports of entry. In fiscal year 2008, CBP officers at all ports of entry along the California/Mexico border seized 241,250 pounds of narcotics.

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
CBP Public Affairs

Phone: (619) 652-9966 Ext: 124/145

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