October 14, 09

NEWS / CBP Cargo Officers Stop Drugs from Entering Southern California

San Diego — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa, Calif. cargo port yesterday intercepted 624 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents.


The largest seizure occurred yesterday at about 9:15 a.m. after officers discovered an anomaly in the X-ray image of a 1984 Kenworth tractor pulling an empty trailer. The primary officer had developed information that caused him to refer the conveyance to be run through the port’s X-ray system and an intensive examination.

Officers subsequently found 30 large packages of marijuana weighing 543 pounds in a false wall compartment behind the cab of the tractor.


The driver, a 36-year-old Tijuana man, was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center. CBP seized the marijuana and the tractor and trailer.


About two hours later, officers intercepted another marijuana smuggling attempt when an empty 1992 Bobtail truck, driven by a 36-year-old Tijuana man, entered the port for inspection. The primary officer noticed inconsistencies with the truck and referred it for a more in-depth examination.


Officers drilled into the truck’s frame rails and discovered a leafy green substance that

Field tested positive for marijuana. They extracted 37 packages of marijuana weighing 81 pounds from both frame rails of the bobtail.


The driver was arrested. CBP seized the marijuana and the conveyance.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10092009_7.xml