Calexico Port Officers Stop 63-Year-old U.S. Citizen from Attempting to Smuggle Methamphetamine through the Downtown Port Pedestrian Area

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port Friday seized almost half of a pound of methamphetamines from a 63-year-old U.S. citizen.

The seizure occurred at about 10:00 p.m. when a CBP police officer working the pedestrian processing area noticed the man wearing a large jacket and exhibiting signs of nervousness as he approached the officer. During the interview, the officer observed a package concealed inside an inner pocket of the man’s jacket. The officer then escorted the man to the secondary examination area for further inspection.

During the inspection, officers removed the wrapped package concealed inside the pocket, and field tested the contents of the package. The package tested positive for methamphetamines. The narcotic had a weight of .40 pounds, and a street value of approximately $4,200.

The traveler, a resident of Mexicali, Baja California, was arrested for the narcotic smuggling attempt and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further processing.

“This type of seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of our officer’s enforcement actions stopping the flow of contraband whether large or small from entering the U.S.,” stated Billy Whitford, Port Director for the Calexico ports of entry.

CBP seized the narcotic.

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.