CBP Officers Seize $900,000 Worth of Meth in California

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

San Ysidro, Calif. - A 24-year-old Tijuana man entering the United States was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers yesterday at the San Ysidro port of entry after they discovered methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle he was driving, officials announced today.

CBP officers encountered the driver of the 2002 Ford Explorer at about 9:30 a.m. as he waited in line for inspection. Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (A-TCET) officers were conducting pre-primary roving operations when they targeted the vehicle and driver for inspection. Officers approached the driver and became suspicious when he exhibited signs of nervousness during questioning.

Upon examination of the vehicle officers discovered a non-factory compartment behind the passenger side front fender. Officers utilized a Human/Narcotic Detector Dog (HNDD) that alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle.

The driver and vehicle were escorted to the secondary area for further investigation.

During the secondary inspection, the vehicle was screened by x-ray imaging equipment that revealed anomalies behind both front fenders.

Officers extracted 40 wrapped packages of methamphetamine weighing almost 45 pounds from both side front fenders and firewall. Total street value of the narcotics is almost $900,000.