CBP Discovers Seven Tons of Marijuana Concealed in Shipment of Plastic Articles

Monday, June 16, 2008

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry cargo facility seized more than seven tons of marijuana found commingled with boxes of plastic articles in a tractor-trailer that entered the port at about 7:40 p.m. on Friday, June 13, officials announced today.

CBP officers found 735 wrapped packages of the narcotic weighing 14,519 pounds and valued at almost $6 million hidden with numerous boxes of plastic articles inside the trailer, officials said.

CBP officers ordered the tractor-trailer to the port’s gamma-ray facility for an intensive examination which revealed anomalies in the shipment. The tractor-trailer was then referred to the dock for off-loading of the merchandise.

Prior to the off-loading, a narcotics detector dog was also utilized to screen the shipment. The canine immediately alerted to the shipment and, upon closer examination, CBP officers discovered a green leafy substance concealed within boxes that field tested positive for marijuana.

The driver, a 32-year-old Mexican male and resident of Mexicali, was arrested by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and subsequently transported to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment. The tractor-trailer and narcotics were seized by CBP.