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  4. Otay Mesa CBP Officers Find Meth & Heroin in Gas Tank and Spare Tire of Vehicle

Otay Mesa CBP Officers Find Meth & Heroin in Gas Tank and Spare Tire of Vehicle

Release Date
Tue, 07/07/2020

SAN DIEGO - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa port of entry Monday found more than 139 pounds of liquid methamphetamine and two pounds of heroin in the gas tank and spare tire of a vehicle.

Officers searched the vehicle; they discovered and extracted 131 packages of methamphetamine and heroin from the gas tank and spare tire. On July 6, at about 4:30 a.m., CBP officers encountered a 52-year-old woman driving a GMC Safari with a 71-year-old female passenger when they entered the Otay Mesa border crossing. A CBP officer and his canine were roving the area and the detector dog alerted to the undercarriage.    

Officers escorted the vehicle and occupants to a secure location for inspection. They ran the vehicle through the ports imaging system, which revealed anomalies within the vehicle. Officers then searched the vehicle; they discovered and extracted 131 packages of methamphetamine and heroin from the gas tank and spare tire.  

The driver, a citizen of Mexico and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was turned over to agents with Homeland Security Investigations.  The female passenger, also a citizen of Mexico and lawful permanent resident, was released.

CBP officers seized the narcotics, valued at $175,000, and the vehicle.

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