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 1,413 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $5.4 million and captured nine fugitives.
From Friday, Nov. 17, through Sunday, Nov. 19, CBP officers intercepted more than 774 pounds of methamphetamine, 92 pounds of cocaine, three pounds of heroin, 40 pounds of fentanyl and 504 pounds of marijuana. CBP officers discovered the narcotics hidden inside vehicles in various places such as the vehicles’ floor, gas tank, speaker box and quarter panels.
During the same time period, nine fugitives were arrested for various charges that included assault, probation and parole violations.
A few significant apprehensions are listed below.
entry discovered more than 500
pounds of marijuana hidden in the
trunk of a vehicle in the SENTRI lane.
On Nov. 17, at approximately 8 p.m., CBP officers at the San Ysidro port of entry encountered a 39-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 2002 Mercedes Benz. A CBP officer detected inconsistencies with the inspection and referred the vehicle and occupants for further examination. During the intensive inspection, officers utilized a CBP canine team and the detector dog alerted to the vehicles gas tank. CBP officers extracted 165 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $577,500.
On Saturday, Nov. 18, at about 7:40 a.m., at the Otay Mesa port of entry, a CBP officer encountered a 26-year-old female Mexican citizen and B1/B2 visa holder driving a Nissan Sentra. The woman was a member of the SENTRI program and was using a designated SENTRI lane when applying for entry into the U.S. The CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle for further inspection. A CBP canine team was screening vehicles as they entered the secondary processing area when the detector dog alerted to the Nissan Sentra.
CBP officers opened the trunk of the vehicle and discovered wrapped packages. CBP officers extracted 140 packages of marijuana weighing 503 pounds with a street value of approximately $289,225.
On Sunday, Nov. 19, at about 3:10 p.m., at the Andrade port of entry, an officer encountered a 23-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The officer referred driver and vehicle for a more in-depth examination.
During the intensive inspection, officers utilized a canine team and discovered 34 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside the gas tank. The weight of the narcotics was 36 pounds with a street value of approximately $50,400.
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.