Calexico Port Officers Seize Over $300,000 Worth of Narcotics

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry earlier this week seized over $300,000 worth of narcotics in two separate incidents.

CBP officers arrested a 50-year-old male Mexican citizen after they found 23 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle he was driving when he entered the U.S. at the Calexico East port of entry at about 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.

A CBP officer conducting vehicle primary inspections detected anomalies to the gas tank of the green 2000 Chevrolet Cheyenne and referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection lot for further examination.

An intensive inspection that included a canine unit and an x-ray imaging system led officers to the discovery of 20 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside an electronic compartment in the gas tank. The estimated street value of the narcotic is $241,500.

CBP officers turned over the driver, a resident of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation on the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

The second seizure occurred at about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 9, at the Calexico downtown port of entry when officers with the port’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team escorted a 23-year-old female Mexican citizen to the secondary lot after a detector dog alerted to her vehicle as she waited in line to enter the U.S.

CBP officers examined the red 2008 Kia Sportage and discovered six wrapped packages of heroin concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the vehicle’s battery. The weight of the narcotic was seven pounds, with a street value of $119,000.

CBP officers arrested the driver, a lawful permanent resident of Calexico, and transferred her to the custody of ICE agents.

In both incidents, the drivers were transported to the Imperial Country jail where they are awaiting arraignment.

CBP seized the vehicles and narcotics.