U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 1,500 pounds of drugs that were found concealed inside two commercial trucks and an SUV during three separate smuggling attempts at California’s Tecate Port of Entry over the course of a week, officials said.
The busts took place between Feb. 11 and Feb. 17, according to the agency.
302 pounds stashed in SUV’s doors, fenders, spare tire
The first ill-fated smuggling attempt took place on Feb. 11, when a 72-year-old man tried to enter the U.S. in a red SUV, according to a CBP statement.
“Anomalies” detected during a secondary inspection led CBP officers to enlist the help of a K9, which alerted to the presence of narcotics, officials said.
“CBP officers extracted a total of 100 packages concealed within the vehicle’s doors, fenders and spare tire,” the statement said. “The contents of the packages were tested and identified as methamphetamine with a total weight of 302 pounds.”
770 pounds concealed in big rig
Another major seizure took place on Feb. 13, when a 30-year-old man tried to make his way into the country in a big rig via the Tecate Cargo Facility, according to the agency.
Officers again grew suspicious of the vehicle.
“CBP officers conducted a physical examination of the tractor-trailer and discovered 65 packages hidden within the flatbed of the trailer,” the statement said.
The packages were found to contain 697 pounds of methamphetamine and 73 pounds of cocaine, authorities said.
437 pounds pulled from flatbed trailer
Another commercial vehicle came through the port of entry on Feb. 17.
A drug-sniffing dog sounded an alert, leading officers to discover 38 packages of methamphetamine hidden in the floor of a flatbed trailer, according to CBP.
The drugs weighed 437 pounds.
Rosa Hernandez, who serves as director of both the Otay Mesa and Tecate ports of entry, commended the sharp eyes, and noses, of the human and canine officers.
“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.”
