C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Checkpoint in Calif. Twice Seizes 66 Pounds of Cocaine

(Tuesday, July 14, 2009)

Pine Valley, Calif. — During a five-hour period yesterday, $1.32 million worth of cocaine was seized by U.S. Border Patrol agents from two separate incidents at a checkpoint on westbound Interstate 8 near Pine Valley.

At 2:30 p.m., a Kia Spectra arrived at the checkpoint for inspection. A Border Patrol detector dog alerted on the vehicle and agents inspected the undercarriage and found that the gas tank had been tampered with.
Twenty-four bundles that contained 66 pounds of cocaine were discovered in a modified compartment that was built onto the gas tank. The vehicle’s driver, a 25-year-old male U.S. citizen, was arrested.

The second seizure took place at 7:30 p.m. Monday when agents encountered a Dodge Durango that contained another 66-pound cocaine stash concealed inside its door panels. The driver of the SUV, a 28-year-old male Mexican national, appeared nervous and provided inconsistent answers to the agents’ questions. A Border Patrol detector dog alerted on the SUV, leading agents to examine the vehicle through the use of non-intrusive X-ray technology, which detected 25 bundles of the drug.

Both suspected smugglers and narcotic loads were turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force.

U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints continue to serve as an effective enforcement tool against smugglers of humans, drugs, and other contraband. In the past week, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 250 pounds of cocaine at the checkpoint near Pine Valley.

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
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

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