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  4. CBP Arrests LA Resident for Cocaine Smuggling

CBP Arrests LA Resident for Cocaine Smuggling

Release Date
Fri, 08/06/2010

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry discovered 51 pounds of cocaine hidden inside a black 2001 Honda Accord.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at about 1:30 p.m. when CBP Officers conducting enforcement operations escorted a 22-year-old female United States citizen to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to her vehicle while she waited in line for inspection.

Officers conducted an intensive inspection and discovered 18 packages concealed inside the gas tank of the vehicle. The narcotics have a street value of $459,000.

The driver, a resident of Los Angeles, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. She is currently being held at the Imperial County Jail pending arraignment.

CBP seized both vehicle and narcotics.

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

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021