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  4. CBP Officers Arrest a 20-Year-Old Attempting to Smuggle Meth Inside an Extinguisher

CBP Officers Arrest a 20-Year-Old Attempting to Smuggle Meth Inside an Extinguisher

Release Date
Thu, 01/08/2015

OTAY MESA, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Otay Mesa port of entry arrested a 20-year-old male Mexican citizen after discovering methamphetamine hidden inside a fire extinguisher, with a street value of $5,700.

meth inside fire extinguisher

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry found 1.44 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a fire extinguisher.

The incident occurred Wednesday, January 7, at about 11 a.m. when a CBP officer conducting inspections of vehicles and travelers referred the driver of a grey 1998 Jeep Cherokee SUV for further examination.

During the inspection, a canine team screened the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to a fire extinguisher that was located behind the seat vehicle.  Officers sawed open the extinguisher and discovered 1.44 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside.

The driver, a resident of Tijuana, Baja California Mexico, was turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. He was later transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center where he awaits arraignment.

CBP seized the 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