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  4. CBP Officers at the Calexico Ports Intercept Two Narcotic Smuggling Attempts Concealed in Stake Bed and Quarter Panels

CBP Officers at the Calexico Ports Intercept Two Narcotic Smuggling Attempts Concealed in Stake Bed and Quarter Panels

Release Date
Wed, 09/04/2019

CALEXICO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted two methamphetamine smuggling attempts and seized 98 packages filled with methamphetamine this past Sunday.

The first seizure occurred on Sept. 1, at about 6:35 a.m., at the East port of entry when a CBP officer encountered a 25-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a white 2010 Ford F-150 stake bed truck.  During the inspection, the officer referred the driver and truck for further inspection.

A CBP officer scanned the truck using the port’s imaging system and detected anomalies within the bed of the truck.  After searching the area, officers found 28 wrapped packages of methamphetamine hidden within the wood of the stake bed in the truck.  The weight of the narcotics 135 pounds and have a street value of approximately $216,000.

The driver, a resident of Mexicali, Baja California, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

A few hours later, at about 10:15 a.m., at the Calexico West port of entry, a CBP officer encountered a 43-year-old female and a 42-year-old male in a black 2015 Dodge Challenger.  The officer referred both occupants and vehicle for a more in-depth examination.   

During the intensive examination, officers utilized the port’s imaging system and a canine team. They found 70 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the quarter panels of the vehicle.  The weight of the narcotic was 73 pounds with a street value of approximately $116,800. 

The driver, a resident of Clovis, Calif., and passenger, a resident of Oxnard, Calif., both U.S. citizens, were arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

Both drivers and passenger in these two seizures were turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing and were later transported to the Imperial County Jail where they currently await arraignment. 

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicles.

CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021