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  4. CBP in Southern California Seizes Narcotics Worth Almost $500,000 over Weekend

CBP in Southern California Seizes Narcotics Worth Almost $500,000 over Weekend

Release Date
Mon, 03/15/2010

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Downtown Calexico port of entry seized more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine with a combined estimated value of more than $458,000 over the weekend.

The first interception occurred approximately at 10 a.m. on Friday after a CBP detector dog alerted to a 2003 Volvo driven by a 31 year-old female U. S. citizen. The vehicle was subsequently referred for a secondary inspection which yielded seven packages of methamphetamine concealed in the dashboard. The total weight of the drugs was more than 14 pounds with an estimated value of $151,305.

The second interception occurred approximately at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday. CBP officers referred a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 2006 Chevrolet to the secondary inspection lot, where a CBP canine alerted to the vehicle. An officer discovered 16 packages of cocaine concealed in the dashboard. The total weight of the drugs was more than 38 pounds with an estimated value $307,520.

"Preventing the flow of dangerous narcotics from reaching our streets is just one facet of the CBP strategy," said Billy Whitford, port director of both Calexico ports of entry. "We are committed to keeping our communities safe."

In both incidents, the vehicles and narcotics were seized by CBP and the suspects were arrested and turned over to U. S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement for further investigation of the foiled smuggling attempts.

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.
Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021