U.S. Customs and Border Protection this week seized methamphetamine worth more than $350,000 that had been concealed in the seats and floor of a sedan.
At approximately 9:57 a.m. Wednesday, officers at the Calexico West Port of Entry
encountered a 20-year-old male driving a 2013 vehicle and applying for admission to the U.S.
During initial inspection, a CBP officer noticed plastic wrapped packages in the car’s floorboards. The officer referred the traveler and vehicle to secondary inspection.
Officers used “non-intrusive inspection” methods to conduct a full scan of the vehicle. After examination, they observed irregularities in the floorboards and seats and called a canine enforcement team in. The dog alerted them to the presence of narcotics.
A search led to the discovery of 41 packages from the floor and seats of the vehicle. The
packages weighed almost 243 pounds and tested positive for methamphetamine. CBP placed the street value of the drugs at $363,960.
The driver was detained and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing. CBP officers seized the vehicle and narcotics.
“The dedication and vigilance of our CBP officers is truly commendable,” stated Roque Caza, Area Port Director for Calexico. “Every single day, their attention to detail makes our communities safer.”
