During a 24-hour period at ports of entry along the California border with Mexico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a total of 12,215 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $9.1 million.
From 12 a.m. Wednesday to 12 a.m. Thursday, CBP officers intercepted 227 pounds of methamphetamine, 11,895 pounds of marijuana, 11 pounds of fentanyl and 83 pounds of cocaine hidden inside vehicles within various locations such as seats, speaker box, spare tire and quarter panels.
stands on a pedestrian bridge by the San Ysidro port of entry.
(Photo credit Earnie Grafton U-T San Diego)
“CBP’s detection and apprehension of contraband plays a significant role in keeping our communities safe and we remain committed to securing our nation’s borders,” said Pete Flores, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego.
“These apprehensions showcase the vigilance and determination the officers possess in combating drug trafficking organizations.”
Some significant seizures are listed below.
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, at about 2:30 a.m., CBP officers at the San Ysidro port of entry encountered a 30-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 1998 Honda Civic.
A CBP officer conducting inspections at the primary booth inspected the vehicle and discovered wrapped packages concealed in the quarter panel.
(Vehicles and passengers being processed and entering the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego, California. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs – Visual Communications Division.)
The CBP officer referred the man into secondary for further examination.
Officers conducted an intensive examination that included the use of a canine unit.
After the canine alerted to the vehicle, officers discovered 37 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed in the spare tire, quarter panels and seats.
The weight of the narcotics was 144 pounds with an estimated street value of approximately $504,000.
shipment manifested as macaroni pasta at the Otay Mesa cargo facility.
Later that morning, at about 10:15 a.m., CBP officers at the Otay Mesa Cargo facility encountered a 45-year-old Mexican citizen with a valid visa driving a 2006 Strickland tractor pulling a trailer with cargo manifested as macaroni pasta entered the commercial port of entry.
A CBP officer referred the conveyance for an intensive examination.
CBP officers opened the trailer and examined the shipment.
CBP Officers opened the boxes and discovered large wrapped packages.
The contents of the large packages field-tested positive for marijuana CBP officers extracted a total of 472 packages with an estimated street value of more than $6.7 million.
That afternoon, at about 3:20 p.m., CBP officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry encountered an 18-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 1998 Saturn.
A CBP canine team was screening vehicles as they waited in line for inspection when the detector dog alerted to the vehicle.
CBP officers referred the vehicle for a more in-depth inspection. CBP officers noticed some discrepancies with the vehicle’s heater core.
CBP officers extracted 10 packages of methamphetamine and four packages of fentanyl from the heater core.
The weight of the narcotics was 20 pounds with an estimated street value of $469,000.
(CBP Officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry testing and processing a fentanyl seizure. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs – Visual Communications Division.)
All persons were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.
CBP officers seized the vehicles and narcotics.
CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
