C.B.P. News Release

U.S. Border Patrol Disrupts East County Drug Smuggling Attempt

(Tuesday, February 08, 2011)

Pine Valley, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-8 checkpoint near Pine Valley arrested two 26-year-old female United States citizens yesterday, for attempting to smuggle more than 168 pounds of marijuana.

Agents encountered the women, residents of Salton City, Calif., as they arrived at the checkpoint at approximately 5:15 a.m., driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the women’s nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the rear bumper and gas tank area. Agents then utilized non-intrusive inspection technology and detected anomalies in the doors of the vehicle.

Agents transported the vehicle to a nearby Border Patrol station, where they discovered multiple cellophane-wrapped bundles of marijuana in all four doors. In addition, more bundles were found hidden inside of the dashboard and gas tank. A total of 103 bundles of marijuana were uncovered weighing 168.54 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $101,000.

The suspected smugglers and the illicit drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force for prosecution on federal drug smuggling charges. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders.

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 dangerous people and capabilities out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 or

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2011_2.xml