CBP Thwarts Run of Drug Smuggling Attempts at CA. Port

CBP Thwarts Run of Drug Smuggling Attempts at Calif. Port

(Monday, August 11, 2008)

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the downtown port of entry intercepted six narcotic smuggling attempts in three days last week, officials announced today. Seized drugs had a street value of more than $2 million.

CBP officers discovered the narcotics in six vehicles after they entered the U.S. from Mexicali, Mexico. Seven individuals, six Mexican citizens and one U.S. citizen, were arrested by CBP officers and turned over to special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for transportation to the county jail to face arraignment.

The most recent interception occurred at about 6 p.m. on Sunday when a white 2000 Ford F-250 was referred to the secondary inspection area for an intensive examination after the primary officer noticed anomalies in the vehicle’s rear area.

The utilization of a human/narcotic detector dog alerted officers to the undercarriage area of the vehicle. Officers discovered 18 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the rear differential. The total weight of the narcotic was 13 pounds with a street value of nearly $150,000.

The driver, a 33-year old male Mexicali resident, was arrested by CBP officers and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition. The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The second seizure occurred at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday when a grey 2005 Toyota Camry was escorted to the secondary inspection area for an intensive examination after the primary officer noticed anomalies in the vehicle’s trunk area.

With the assistance of human/narcotic detector dog, officers discovered a non-factory compartment located within the trunk floor of the vehicle that concealed 21 wrapped packages of methamphetamine. The weight of the narcotic was 19 pounds with a street value of over $200,000.

The driver, a 28-year old male U.S. citizen residing in Riverside, Calif., was arrested by CBP officers and turned over to ICE agents pending arraignment. Both the narcotic and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The third smuggling attempt occurred earlier Saturday at about 9:30 a.m. when a 19-year-old male Mexican citizen and female companion, a 21-year-old female Mexican citizen, riding in a 2008 Nissan Rogue were referred to the secondary examination area for an intensive examination after a canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary operation.

An intensive examination lead to the discovery of 23 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden in a specially built floor compartment of the vehicle’s front seat rear area. The total weight of the narcotic was 66 pounds with a street value of over $500,000.

Both the driver and female friend, both residents of Mexicali, were arrested and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition. The narcotic and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The fourth interception occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, when a grey 2002 Ford Focus was escorted to the secondary inspection area for an intensive examination after a canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary operation.

An intensive examination revealed 16 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden in a false compartment inside the left rear wheel well of the vehicle. The total weight of the packages was 48 pounds with a street value of nearly $ 400,000.

The driver, a 28-year old female legal permanent resident of Calexico, was arrested by CBP and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Aaents for further disposition. Both narcotic and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The fifth smuggling attempt occurred at about 11:20 a.m. Thursday when a 39-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a silver 2002 Toyota 4-Runner with Baja California plates was referred to the secondary inspection area for an intensive inspection.

Officers utilized a human/narcotic detector dog which alerted to the rear area of the vehicle. They discovered 18 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside a specially-built floorboard compartment. The total weight of the narcotic was 46 pounds with a street value of over $350,000.

The driver, a Sonora resident, was arrested by CBP and turned over to ICE for further disposition. The narcotic and vehicle were seized by CBP.
The sixth seizure occurred 20 minutes earlier when a 38-year old male Mexican citizen driving a white 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe with Baja California plates was escorted to the secondary inspection area after a canine alerted to the vehicle.

Once in the secondary lot, an intensive examination disclosed 25 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden inside a non-factory compartment in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. The packages weighed 62 pounds and has a street value of nearly $500,000.
The driver, a Mexicali resident, was placed under arrest by CBP and turned over to ICE for further disposition. The narcotics 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.

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