CBP in Calexico Arrest Local Man for Alleged Cocaine Smuggling

Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry yesterday arrested a 32-year-old female U.S. citizen after they discovered 53 pounds of cocaine hidden in the vehicle she was driving.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 20, at about 5:30 p.m. when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred the driver of a blue 2006 Nissan Sentra for further examination.

During the inspection, a canine team screened the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to the rear area. A search of the area led officers to the discovery of 23 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden behind a false wall inside of the vehicle’s trunk. The street value of the cocaine is approximately $477,000.

CBP officers turned the driver, a resident of Heber, California, over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who in turn transported her to the Imperial County Jail where she awaits arraignment.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.