Calexico Port Officers Arrest 19-Year-Old Male for attempt to Smuggle 52 Pounds of Cocaine

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry arrested a 19-year-old male Mexican citizen after they discovered 52 pounds of cocaine hidden in the vehicle he was driving when he entered the port Sunday.

The seizure occurred at about 5:15 p.m. when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred a red 1992 Chevrolet Camaro for further examination.

During the intensive inspection, a canine team was utilized and the detector dog alerted to the rear area of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle led officers to the discovery of 21 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside a non-factory metal compartment within the rear bumper. The estimated street value of the narcotic is approximately $468,000.

CBP officers turned custody of the driver, a resident of Mexicali, Baja California, over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who then transported him to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.

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

CBP seized the narcotic and 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 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.