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  4. CBP Officers Arrest Trusted Travelers for Alleged Marijuana Smuggling

CBP Officers Arrest Trusted Travelers for Alleged Marijuana Smuggling

Release Date
Wed, 10/13/2010

San Ysidro, Calif. - Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro port of entry arrested two SENTRI program members for allegedly attempting to smuggle 18 pounds of marijuana into the United States and in a separate case, discovered a van with marijuana hidden in the seats.

On Tuesday October 12, 2010 at 12:40 p.m., CBP officers with the port's Anti-Terrorism and Contraband Enforcement Team were conducting inspections of vehicles waiting to enter the U.S. through the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lane, when a narcotic detector dog alerted to a 2005 black Jeep liberty.

CBP officers escorted the driver, passenger and vehicle for a more in-depth inspection. Officers found seven packages of marijuana attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The narcotics have a street value of $9,100.00

The driver, a 40-year-old male U.S. citizen, and his wife, a 43-year-old U.S. citizen, were both arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for processing.

Earlier that same day at 4:30 a.m., an officer inspected a 59-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 1993 white Ford Clubwagon van and noticed discrepancies during the inspection. The officer referred the van and driver for further investigation.

As the driver, a resident of Hesperia, Calif. drove the Clubwagon through the x-ray machine, an officer noticed packages hidden in the backrests of the van's seats. Officers extracted 25 packages of marijuana weighing 229 pounds. The narcotics have a street value of $114,500

CBP officers arrested the driver and turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle in both cases.

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