Marijuana Smuggling Attempt Stopped at Calexico East Port over the Weekend

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico East port of entry over the weekend stopped a marijuana smuggling attempt worth over $124,000.

CBP officers arrested a 37-year-old female Mexican citizen after they discovered 30 wrapped packages of marijuana concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the bed of the pick-up truck she was driving.

The incident occurred on Saturday, at about 12:15 p.m., when CBP officers arrested a 37-year-old female Mexican citizen after they discovered 30 wrapped packages of marijuana concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the bed of the pick-up truck she was driving.

During the vehicle primary inspection, the officer detected anomalies with the truck’s bed and referred both the driver and vehicle to the secondary inspection area for further examination.

At secondary, a canine team was screening vehicles when the canine alerted to the Dodge Ram. An intensive examination subsequently led officers to the wrapped packages of marijuana weighing 275 pounds.

The driver, a resident of Mexicali, Baja California, was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further processing.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle. The driver was transported to the Imperial County Jail where she currently awaits arraignment.

CBP placed an immigration hold on the Mexican female citizen to initiate removal from the United States at the conclusion of her criminal proceeding.

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.