Intercepted six narcotic smuggling attempts over a five-day period

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted six narcotic smuggling attempts over a five-day period, preventing 286 pounds of cocaine and 53 pounds of methamphetamine from entering the United States. Total value of the seized narcotics is estimated at more than $2.8 million."These impressive drug seizures are examples of the remarkable job Calexico CBP officers do everyday to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country," said Port Director Billy Whitford.The first interception occurred on Saturday, April 5, at the Calexico East port of entry at approximately 10 a.m., when a 48-year old male United States citizen, driving a 2003 Toyota Camry entered the country from Mexico. During the primary inspection, the officer referred the driver along with his wife and children to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.During the secondary inspection, a Human/Narcotic Detector Dog (HNDD) alerted officers to the rocker panel area of the vehicle. Upon further examination, a total of 14 packages of cocaine totaling 73 pounds were discovered inside the panels. The subject was placed under arrest and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for further disposition.
Three seizures occurred on Monday, April 7, at the Calexico West port of entry during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The drivers of all three vehicles were Mexican Nationals and residents of Mexicali, Baja California. During the primary inspection, vehicle discrepancies were revealed in each case prompting officers to refer the vehicles and occupants to the secondary lot for further investigation.
Human/Narcotic Detector Dogs were utilized to assist with the inspections. On all three occasions, dogs alerted to the inside of the vehicles. The alerts were to the dashboard of a 2006 Volkswagen revealing 12 packages of cocaine weighing 25 pounds; the roof of a 2007 Dodge Nitro revealing 35 packages cocaine weighing 84 pounds; and the dashboard area of a 2004 Nissan X-Trail revealing 17 packages of cocaine weighing 40 pounds. All three drivers were arrested and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.

The fifth drug seizure occurred on Tuesday, April 8, at the Calexico East port of entry at approximately 11:30 a.m. while CBP officers were conducting pre-primary vehicle operations. A 41- year old Mexican male from San Felipe, Baja California, driving a 1978 Chrysler Lebaron was waiting in line to enter the United States when he was approached by an officer for questioning. The officer noticed the driver’s nervous demeanor during the interview and referred him and the vehicle for a more intensive inspection.
During the secondary inspection, x-ray equipment along with the utilization of a HNDD revealed 25 packages of methamphetamine wrapped in clear cellophane and carbon paper in a non-factory compartment underneath the rear seat. The total weight of the narcotic was 53 pounds with a street value of almost $560,000. The driver was arrested and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.
Today at about noon, officers intercepted yet another cocaine smuggling attempt by two Mexican nationals, a male and a female, residents of Mexicali, Baja California and San Luis, Sonora through the downtown port of entry. The male driver accompanied by his mother-in-law, was driving a 1999 Jeep Cherokee, and presented their documents to the primary officer for entry into the U.S. The primary officer observed signs of nervousness during the initial primary interview and opted to escort the subjects and vehicle back to the secondary inspectional area for an intense inspection.
In secondary, further inspection of the vehicle and utilization of a HNDD alerted officers to the rocker panel of the vehicle revealing 27 packages of a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of the narcotic was 64 pounds