CBP News Release

CBP Officers at Calexico East Detain Mexican Citizen for Narcotics Smuggling Attempt

(Friday, September 19, 2008)

Calexico, Calif. -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry in Southern California intercepted a narcotic smuggling attempt on Thursday worth over $300,000, officials announced today.

The interception comes on the heels of seven narcotic seizures that occurred the day before.

The enforcement action occurred at about noon. when a silver 1999 Volkswagen Passat with Sonora plates was referred to the secondary examination area after the primary officer noticed signs of nervousness being displayed from the driver.

At the examination area, the utilization of a detector dog led officers to the discovery of 15 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed within a non-factory compartment inside the vehicleʼs center console. The total weight of the narcotics was 40 pounds.

The driver, a 36-year-old male Sonora resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both 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.

Contacts For This News Release

John M. Campos
Phone: (760) 768-2625 or
(760) 802-6488

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2008_4.xml