California CBP agents seize $1 million in cocaine, apprehend wanted fugitive for homicide in separate incidents

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stationed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and the PedWest facility in southern California recently seized more than $1 million in cocaine and apprehended a U.S. fugitive wanted for homicide in separate incidents.

The first incident began as San Ysidro-stationed agents encountered a 62-year old male Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. driving a Ford Explorer SUV. During routine inspection, officers noticed abnormalities within the vehicle and referred the man for a more thorough secondary inspection.

Using a narcotics-detecting canine team, the officers were alerted to suspicious activity within the vehicle. A short search resulted in the discovery of 28 packages concealed within a specialty-built floor compartment. In total, the packages contained 75 pounds of the illicit substance, which carried an approximate street value of $1 million. The driver was subsequently arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for processing.

The second event occurred as Mexican law enforcement officers turned over Alan Machain, a 35-year old U.S. citizen who was wanted on homicide charges, to CBP officers at San Ysidro’s PedWest facility.

CBP agents then conducted a query for biometric information on the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which revealed that the man was wanted by the Los Angeles Police Department on an outstanding felony warrant for homicide-murder.

“CBP officers continue to combat the drug trafficking originations attempts to smuggle narcotics into the U.S.” Pete Flores, director of Field Operations for CBP San Diego, said. “CBP’s apprehension of the fugitive is a prime example of why partnerships between the U.S. and other countries are useful in assisting CBP’s mission of securing the nation’s borders.”