CBP seizes over $155k worth of narcotics at Calexico Port of Entry

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry seized $155,540 worth of methamphetamine and heroin in three vehicles over the weekend.

On May 11, a 31-year-old and a 41-year old who entered the border in a Ford F-150 truck were referred by agents to perform a more in-depth examination of the vehicle.

Agents say the canine screened the vehicle and detected to the vehicle’s undercarriage. Officers say they discovered five wrapped packages containing 11 pounds of meth, worth $17,600 stashed inside the transmission transfer case of the truck.

According to agents the driver and passenger are both United States Citizens and are residents of Stockton, Calif. Agents say both men were arrested for attempting to smuggle narcotics.

On May 12 a 33-year-old woman entered the United States driving a 2004 Nissan Altima Sedan when a CBP officer conducting primary inspections of vehicles and travelers referred both the driver and vehicle for a more intensive inspection.

Agents say a canine alerted to the vehicle’s engine where officers discovered packages containing 7 pounds of heroin, worth $65,940 inside the compartment in the battery of the vehicle.

The driver, a Mexican citizen residing in Mexicali, Baja Mexico has been arrested for her alleged attempt to smuggle narcotics, agents say.

That same day, a 27-year-old man driving a 2008 Mazda CX7 was referred for further inspection of his vehicle when a canine alerted to the back seat of the vehicle. Agents say they discovered 49 packages of meth concealed inside the gas tank of the vehicle, worth $72,000.

Agents say in each of the three narcotics incidents, the drivers and passenger were turned over to Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing and were later transported to the Imperial County Jail.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicles.