CBP Thwarts Run of Drug Smuggling Attempts at Calif. Port

Monday, August 11, 2008

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the downtown port of entry intercepted six narcotic smuggling attempts in three days last week, officials announced today. Seized drugs had a street value of more than $2 million.

CBP officers discovered the narcotics in six vehicles after they entered the U.S. from Mexicali, Mexico. Seven individuals, six Mexican citizens and one U.S. citizen, were arrested by CBP officers and turned over to special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for transportation to the county jail to face arraignment.

The most recent interception occurred at about 6 p.m. on Sunday when a white 2000 Ford F-250 was referred to the secondary inspection area for an intensive examination after the primary officer noticed anomalies in the vehicle’s rear area.

The utilization of a human/narcotic detector dog alerted officers to the undercarriage area of the vehicle. Officers discovered 18 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the rear differential. The total weight of the narcotic was 13 pounds with a street value of nearly $150,000.

The driver, a 33-year old male Mexicali resident, was arrested by CBP officers and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition. The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.