C.B.P. News Release

Steroid Smuggler Fined $5,000, May Face Deportation

(Thursday, July 09, 2009)

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry Thursday seized 92 steroid pills from a SENTRI participant.

At approximately 7 a.m. July 9, CBP officers escorted the 28-year-old male legal permanent resident from the SENTRI travel lane to the secondary lot to perform a more thorough inspection. Officers discovered a backpack in the trunk of his 2008 Dodge Charger with five different kinds of steroid pills hidden inside.

CBP revoked enrollment in the SENTRI trusted traveler program for him and his children, and assessed a $5,000 penalty. The accused smuggler will appear before an immigration judge to determine if he will lose his permanent resident status in the United States.

SENTRI, the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is CBP’s Trusted Traveler program along the southern border of the United States. The voluntary program provides dedicated vehicle lanes and expedited processing at various ports of entry for pre-approved, low risk travelers. Travelers who elect to enter the program face some additional scrutiny, including an interview with CBP officers, fingerprinting, and background check, before they are allowed to participate.

“Our trusted traveler program allows us to quickly process lower-risk, frequent travelers, but it’s important that we still inspect all persons and products entering the United States,â€