OTAY MESA, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry Tuesday discovered a large cache of cocaine and methamphetamine concealed in a vehicle.
On May 27, at about 7:30 a.m. a 70-year-old male Mexican citizen entered the port for inspection driving a 1996 Toyota Sienna. A CBP canine team was screening vehicles that were waiting to enter the United States. The CBP detector dog alerted to the rear cargo area of the minivan as it approached the inspection booth. The driver and one passenger were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.
CBP officers drove the minivan through the port’s imaging system and anomalies were observed in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Officers searched the van and found narcotics concealed inside specially built containers located in the roof, and rear quarter panels.
CBP officers subsequently removed approximately 122 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 40 pounds of cocaine with a combined estimated street value of $1.8 million.
The driver, who is also a lawful permanent resident of the United States, was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
“This is another great result of the diligent efforts of our CBP canine teams who work tirelessly to protect our nation from dangerous drugs,” said CBP San Diego Director of Field Operations Pete Flores. “They are one of our agency’s greatest assets.”