Calexico Agents Start Week With Arrest, $800K Cocaine Seizure

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico station arrested a man wanted for sexual assault and interdicted a cocaine smuggling attempt with a street value estimated at more than $800,000.

Agents working west of downtown Calexico apprehended 32-year-old Juan Carlos Orozco Monday for illegal entry into the U.S. from Mexico. Orozco was transported to the Calexico station for processing after agents determined he is a Mexican national without immigration documents. During processing agents discovered that Orozco has an active warrant out of Los Angeles for sexual assault on a minor. Orozco was transferred to the custody the Calexico Police Department where he awaits extradition.

The following morning, Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Calexico encountered a red Nissan Sentra, driven by a 24-year-old female U.S. citizen. A Border Patrol canine team conducted a cursory inspection of the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert to the vehicle. Further examination lead agents to discover several hidden packages of cocaine located in a non-factory compartment. The driver, narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“These are just two examples of how U.S. Border Patrol agents help keep the community safe from dangerous drugs and criminals,” said Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Roy D. Villareal. “I’m extremely proud of the high level of vigilance our agents maintain on a daily basis.”

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.