CBP Officers Seize Almost $700,000 Worth Of Marijuana At Calexico, Calif. Port

Monday, March 19, 2007

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting border security operations at the downtown Calexico, Calif. port of entry arrested two U.S.citizens who allegedly tried to smuggle almost 1,400 pounds of marijuana into the U.S. on Sunday evening.

CBP officers encountered the men, a 40-year old driver and a 56-year old passenger, both residents of San Diego, at about 7:30 p.m., when they entered the border station in a 1990 Chevrolet Bobtail pulling a trailer. The demeanor of the men prompted the officer to examine the vehicle further and to utilize a narcotic detector dog team to screen it. After the dog alerted to the trailer, officers escorted the occupants and vehicle into the secondary area for a more in-depth investigation.

During the secondary inspection, officers discovered a non-factory wall compartment in the front area of the trailer. Officers subsequently extracted a total of 83 wrapped bundles of marijuana from the trailer valued at about $700,000.