Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry seized 23 pounds of black tar heroin yesterday that involved a 24-year-old male Mexican citizen from Mexicali, Baja California.
The seizure occurred at about 8:10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, when a CBP officer with the port's Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team targeted a red 1999 Ford pick-up truck as the driver waited in line for inspection. The officer detected anomalies in the vehicle's engine area and referred both driver and vehicle for further examination.
During the intensive examination, a canine team screened the pick-up truck and the detector dog alerted to the engine area. A search of the engine led CBP officers to the discovery of two wrapped packages of black tar heroin hidden inside a non-factory compartment within the intake manifold. The street value of the narcotic is approximately $391,000.
The driver was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation.
The individual was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.
CBP placed an immigration hold on the Mexican citizen to initiate removal from the United States at the conclusion of his criminal proceedings.
CBP seized the vehicle and narcotics.
This interception comes on the heels of a 52 pound cocaine seizure that occurred the previous day at the downtown port.