CBP Officers Seize $1.8M in Narcotics in Two Vehicles

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 207 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $1.8 million, in two separate cases.

On Saturday, Feb. 29, at about 11:15 a.m., a 20-year-old man and 19-year-old-woman, both Mexican citizens, were awaiting entry at the San Ysidro port of entry. A CBP canine roving team approached the vehicle and alerted to the floor of the vehicle. The vehicle and all occupants were referred for an intensive examination.

During the intensive examination, officers searched the vehicle and discovered 80 wrapped packages of narcotics in the vehicles floor - five pounds of heroin and 90 pounds of methamphetamine.

A second incident occurred a few hours later at about 2 p.m., at the Otay Mesa port of entry, when a CBP canine team alerted to the dashboard of a Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 32-year-old woman. Accompanying her was her 36-year-old husband and two minor children, all Mexican citizens.  CBP officers referred the family and vehicle for and intensive inspection.

During the intensive examination, officers discovered 42 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed in the vehicle’s dashboard and rear quarter panels.

CBP officers seized all vehicles and narcotics.  All narcotic related 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.