California CBP agents seize more than 230 pounds of narcotics over series of incidents

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed at various ports of entry along the California border with Mexico recently made a series of narcotics seizures that resulted in the interception of more than 230 pounds of illicit substances, valued at more than $1.4 million.

In total, officers seized more than 200 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 30 pounds of cocaine.

The seizures, which occurred from June 15 to June 18, also included the apprehension of 15 fugitives from justice who were previously charged with offenses that included DUI, grand theft, burglary, and child endangerment.

In one incident, officers assigned to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, PedWest facility encountered a 27-year old female U.S. citizens as they were conducting inspections. After one officer noticed a “bulge” in the woman’s torso, he referred the woman for a secondary inspection. CBP then discovered approximately five pounds of methamphetamine strapped to the woman’s stomach.

In another incident, officers stationed at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry encountered a 21-year old male U.S. citizen driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. After referring the vehicle for a more thorough, secondary inspection, the officers noticed an abnormality within the vehicle’s gas tank. After removing the tank, the officers discovered 58 individually-wrapped packages of methamphetamine, which weighed a total of 62 pounds.

In each incident, officers seized all narcotics, arrested each attempted smuggler, and turned them over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for processing.

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 the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.