SAN DIEGO, Calif., – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the San Ysidro Port of Entry seized over half a million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine concealed throughout a vehicle of a Trusted Traveler Program member.
On Thursday at approximately 11:53 p.m., CBP officers encountered a 39-year-old man driving a black SUV applying for entry through the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lane. CBP officers referred the vehicle for further inspection.
CBP officers screened the vehicle with non-intrusive technology. Anomalies were reported in the SUV’s spare tire, roof, passenger side quarter panel, and gas tank. A CBP Canine Enforcement Officer responded to the scene with a CBP human/narcotics detector dog and alerted to the presence of narcotics.
CBP officers extracted 86 packages from the vehicle. The contents of the packages were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a total weight of 357.45 pounds and an estimated street value of $536,175.
“This is yet another great example of how CBP officers on the frontline continue to work tirelessly to thwart narcotics smuggling attempts by drug trafficking organizations. I am proud of how seamlessly our officers work together to protect our nation’s borders,” said Mariza Marin, Port Director for the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
The driver was arrested for the importation of narcotics into the United States and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing. CBP officers seized the vehicle and narcotics.