U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a number of significant drug busts last week, seizing over 1,500 pounds of narcotics concealed in two commercial trucks and an SUV during three separate smuggling attempts.
The incidents occurred between February 11 and February 17. The first seizure took place on February 11 when a 72-year-old man attempted to cross into the U.S. in a red SUV. During a secondary inspection, CBP officers detected “anomalies” and called in a drug-sniffing K9, which alerted them to the presence of narcotics. Officers then extracted 100 packages hidden within the vehicle’s doors, fenders, and spare tire, confirming that the drugs comprised 302 pounds of methamphetamine.
On February 13, CBP officers intercepted another smuggling attempt involving a 30-year-old man driving a big rig through the Tecate Cargo Facility. After growing suspicious, officers conducted a thorough inspection of the tractor-trailer and uncovered 65 packages containing 697 pounds of methamphetamine and 73 pounds of cocaine.
The final incident occurred on February 17, when another commercial vehicle was flagged by a drug-sniffing dog. Officers discovered 38 more packages of methamphetamine hidden in the floor of a flatbed trailer, weighing a staggering 437 pounds.
Rosa Hernandez, director of the Otay Mesa and Tecate ports of entry, praised the diligence of both the human and canine officers involved in the operations. “All CBP components are vital assets to our counter-narcotics operations and provide proficient layers of enforcement,” she said. “Our staff is dedicated to the mission and will continue to protect our communities and stop the growth of transnational criminal organizations by applying officer’s skills and tools in our layered enforcement approach.”
In each incident, the drivers were taken into custody and have been subsequently handed over to U.S. Homeland Security Investigations for further action.
