CBP officers find $122K worth of drugs hidden inside car’s doors

ANDRADE, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Andrade port of entry, on Wednesday, discovered approximately $122,000 worth of hard narcotics hidden inside the doors of a vehicle.

“The officer’s ability to interdict contraband at the port of entry is a good example of CBP’s effort to secure our border, and prevents these dangerous drugs from entering our community,” said Andrade Acting Port Director Martin Cuesta.

The incident happened at about 3:30 p.m., when a CBP officer conducting primary inspections encountered a 44-year-old male driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla. During the inspec- tion, a canine team alerted to the vehicle. Officers took both the driver and vehicle aside for a more in-depth examination.

During an intensive review of the vehicle, officers utilized a CBP canine team and discovered 39 wrapped packages of methamphetamine, and one package of heroin hidden inside the doors.

The packages of methamphetamine weighed a total of 45 pounds, while the heroin amounted to a pound. The drugs had a combined estimated street value of $122,000.

The driver, a Mexican citizen and resident of Mexicali, Baja Mexico, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing.

The man was later transported to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment. CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle.