10/29/2009

News / CBP Arrests U.S. Citizens for Narcotic Smuggling at Calexico

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry seized more than $1.1 million in methamphetamine, cocaine, hashish and marijuana on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Three United States citizens were arrested in connection with the failed smuggling attempts, officials announced today.


The interceptions come on the heels of three other cocaine and marijuana seizures that occurred over the weekend at the Calexico downtown port of entry.

The most recent interception occurred on Tuesday, October 27, at about 8 a.m. at the Calexico West port of entry when officers arrested a 41-year-old female U. S. citizen who attempted to smuggle 38 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a blue 2003 Toyota Corolla.


The driver was waiting in line for inspection when a canine alerted to the vehicle. Both the driver and vehicle were escorted to the vehicle secondary examination area for further inspection.


An intensive inspection resulted in the discovery of 23 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside a non-factory compartment underneath the vehicle’s rear seats. The street value of the narcotic is approximately $399,000.


The female driver, a resident of Los Angeles was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation.


The second interception occurred about an hour and a half earlier when a 30-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a white 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara was referred to the secondary examination area for further inspection.


In secondary, an intensive inspection that included use of a detector dog led officers to the discovery of 18 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside a non-factory compartment underneath the rear seats. The weight of the narcotic is 29 pounds with a street value of approximately $304,500.


The driver, a resident of Calexico, Calif., was arrested for the alleged illegal importation of narcotics into the United States and turned over to the custody of ICE agents for further investigation.


The third interception occurred on Monday, October 26, at about 11:45 p.m., at the Calexico East port of entry when a 33-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a black 1999 Isuzu Rodeo SUV was referred for further inspection.


During the secondary inspection, officers discovered 16 wrapped packages of marijuana, hashish and cocaine co-mingled in the vehicle’s gas tank and spare tire. The weight of the narcotics totaled 68 pounds with a combined street value of approximately $484,920.


The driver, a local resident of Mexicali, was arrested and turned over to ICE agents who transported her to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment.


In all three incidents, CBP seized both the narcotics and vehicles.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10282009_4.xml

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