U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed at ports of entry along the California border with Mexico recently seized more than 700 pounds of illicit narcotics, captured 13 fugitives from justice, and apprehended two would-be illegal undocumented immigrants over a series of incidents.
The events, which took place between June 30 and July 2, resulted in the seizure of more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine, 77 pounds of marijuana, 45 pounds of heroin, and 22 pounds of fentanyl.
In one incident, CBP agents assigned to the San Ysidro Port of Entry encountered a 57-year old Mexican male and legal permanent resident of the United States driving a Lincoln Navigator SUV. After the man was inconsistent with his answers during routine questioning prior to passing through the port, the officers referred the man for a more thorough secondary inspection.
The subsequent search of the man’s SUV resulted in the seizure of approximately 34 pounds of cocaine concealed within the vehicle’s transmission. The man was then turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for criminal processing and his vehicle was seized by CBP.
In another incident, officers stationed at the Otay Mesa Cargo Port of Entry encountered a 23-year old Mexican citizen carrying a shipment of Persian limes in a tractor trailer. After the man was referred for a secondary inspection, the officers discovered two would-be illegal undocumented immigrants hiding between pallets of limes. All persons involved were then arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations agents for processing.