More than $653K of meth, cocaine and heroin seized over two-day span

Agents working at the Imperial Valley ports of entry seized more than $653,500 worth of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin over a two-day span.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the first seizure happened at the downtown Calexico port of entry on Thursday when officers observed a 28-year-old woman and 24-year-old man entering the border crossing in a Dodge Nitro SUV.

The CBP officer referred them to the vehicle inspection lot for a more in-depth examination.

After screening, the SUV agents found 42 wrapped packages of methamphetamine in the spare tire. Fifty-five pounds of narcotics were extracted from the spare tire, yielding an approximate street value of $137,500.

Both U.S. citizens were arrested for the narcotics smuggling attempt.

Later that day, a second seizure was made after agents discovered 39 wrapped packages of methamphetamine, five packages of cocaine, and two packages of heroin stashed inside the gas tank and each of the seats of a Nissan Altima.

The driver, a resident of Ridgefield, Wash., and passenger, a resident of Troutdale, Ore., were both arrested.

CBP said they retrieved 100 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of cocaine, and 700 grams of heroin were removed from the vehicle.

The cumulative street value of the narcotics is estimated to be $441,000.

On Friday at approximately 3 a.m. officers referred a 1999 Acura TL sedan for further inspection and discovered 29 wrapped packages containing a total of 30 pounds of methamphetamine inside the gas tank.

The 22-year-old driver was arrested.

The narcotics have an estimated street value of more than $75,000.

CBP said in each of the three incidents, the drivers and passengers were turned over to Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing and were later transported to the Imperial County Jail.

CBP also seized the narcotics and vehicles.