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  4. CBP Officers Seize $1.4M in Drugs, Capture 15 Fugitives

CBP Officers Seize $1.4M in Drugs, Capture 15 Fugitives

Release Date
Tue, 06/20/2017

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the ports of entry along the California border with Mexico over the weekend intercepted more than 230 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $1.4 million and captured 15 fugitives.

From Friday, June 16, through Sunday, June 18, CBP officers intercepted more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 30 pounds of cocaine. CBP officers discovered the narcotics hidden inside vehicles in various places such as the gas tank, speakers, on their body and quarter panels.

During the same time period, the 15 fugitives were arrested for various charges that included DUI, grand theft, burglary, child endangerment and vandalism.

A couple of significant seizures are listed below.

Gas tank stuffed with drugs; one of many drug seizures with San Diego Office of Field Operations.
Gas tank stuffed with drugs;
one of many drug seizures by
San Diego CBP officers.

On Friday, June 16, at approximately 6:30 a.m., at the San Ysidro port of entry PedWest facility, a CBP officer conducting inspections encountered a 27-year-old female U.S. citizen. The CBP officer observed a bulge on the woman’s torso and he referred her for a more intensive inspection. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered five pounds of methamphetamine taped to the woman’s torso. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $15,000.

On Friday, June 16, at approximately 10 a.m., at the Otay Mesa port of entry, a CBP officer conducting inspections encountered a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe. The Officer referred the man and vehicle to secondary for a more intensive inspection. CBP officers searched the vehicle and noticed discrepancies with the gas tank. The gas tank was removed and officers discovered 58 wrapped packages of methamphetamine hidden inside. The narcotics weighed 62 pounds with an estimated street value of $197,000.

CBP officers seized all vehicles and narcotics. All subjects were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.

CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States. Those statistics can be found on the CBP Enforcement Statistics webpage.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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