C.B.P. News Release

Calexico CBP Officers Arrest 3 U.S. Citizens, 3 Mexican Nationals Attempting to Smuggle Coke, Meth

(Wednesday, March 25, 2009)

Calexico, Calif. – In three days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry foiled five narcotic smuggling attempts worth more than $2 million and arrested the six individuals associated with the attempts, officials announced today.

The most recent interception occurred yesterday, Tuesday, March 24, at about 3:30 p.m., at the Calexico downtown port when a 26-year-old male United States citizen driving a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta with California plates was referred to the secondary examination area for further inspection.

Officers discover 15 packages of methamphetamine in a vehicle's rear bumper.

At the secondary examination area, utilization of a detector dog led officers to the discovery of nine wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle’s rear bumper. The total weight of the packages was 15 pounds with a street value of $157,500.

Officers arrested the Indio, Calif., resident for the alleged importation of narcotics into the U.S. CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.

Earlier in the day, at about 10:30 a.m., a 31-year-old male United States citizen driving a 1999 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck with California plates was referred to the secondary examination area at the Calexico downtown port for further processing.

At the secondary examination area, officers utilizing a detector dog led to the discovery of 20 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed within the floor area of the vehicle. The packages weighed a total of 54 pounds with a street value of $486,000.

The driver, a Calexico resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both the vehicle and narcotics were seized by CBP.

The third interception occurred at about 5 a.m., also at the downtown port when a 34-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier was referred to the secondary examination area for further inspection.

At the secondary examination area, utilization of a detector dog led officers to the discovery of 24 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed within the vehicle’s dashboard area. The total weight of the packages was 71 pounds with a street value of $639,000.

Officers arrested the driver, a Mexicali resident, for the alleged illegal importation of narcotics. CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.

The fourth seizure occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, at the Calexico east port of entry when a 47-year-old male Mexican national and a 48-year-old female Mexican national entered the port in a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe were escorted to the secondary inspection area after the primary officer observed discrepancies with the vehicle.

At the secondary examination area, utilization of a detector dog and x-ray equipment led officers to the discovery of 23 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden in the vehicle’s spare tire and rear side doors. The packages weighed a total of 75 pounds with a street value of $675,000.

Officers placed the married couple, both Mexicali residents, under arrest for the alleged importation of narcotics into the United States. CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.

The fifth interception occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at the Calexico east port of entry when officers encountered a 28-year-old man and resident of Phoenix, Arizona, driving a 1997 Ford Expedition to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

At the secondary examination area, further inspection of the vehicle led officers to the discovery of 16 wrapped packages of methamphetamine secreted inside the vehicle’s transmission case. The packages weighed a total of eight pounds with a street value of $84,000.

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 M. Campos
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (760) 768-2625 or
(760) 802-6488

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_re ... 2009_6.xml