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  4. CBP Officers Foil Two Major Smuggling Attempts at the Calexico Ports of Entry

CBP Officers Foil Two Major Smuggling Attempts at the Calexico Ports of Entry

Release Date
Mon, 08/10/2020

CALEXICO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico port of entry intercepted two narcotics smuggling attempts preventing 258 pounds of methamphetamine and 15 pounds of heroin from entering the United States.

An intensive examination of the vehicle’s floor revealed wrapped packages with an approximate weight of 179 pounds of methamphetamine.The first seizure occurred on Monday, August 3, at the downtown Calexico port of entry when a CBP canine team officer encountered a 20-year-old male U.S. citizen and a 19-year-old female U.S. citizen in a gray 2014 Nissan Sentra with California plates.  The CBP canine alerted to the floor area of the vehicle.  The vehicle and both occupants were escorted aside for security purposes. 

During an intensive inspection, CBP officers observed anomalies within the floor area of the vehicle by utilizing the X-ray image system.  Officers searched the vehicle’s floor and found wrapped packages containing about 179 pounds of methamphetamine.

Both occupants of the vehicle will face federal prosecution. CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle.

“Narcotics interdiction continues to be a high priority for CBP as demonstrated by these significant seizures that happened at the Calexico ports of entry,” said Officer in Charge Sergio Beltran.

The second smuggling attempt occurred on the same day during the screening of railcars by a CBP canine officer with his assigned human narcotic detector dog (HNDD). The CBP canine officer obtained an alert from the area above the railcar wheels during the screening.

CBP officers observed anomalies within the floor area of the vehicle by utilizing the X-ray image system. CBP officers found 15 pounds of heroin and 69 pounds of methamphetamine hidden there.

The combined weight from both seizures of methamphetamine was 258 pounds with a street value of nearly $309,600. The total weight of heroin was 15 pounds with a street value of nearly $126,000.

Criminal charges are merely allegations.  Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021