CBP thwarts meth smuggling attempts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Southern California residents connected to separate failed smuggling attempts this past Friday, resulting in the seizure of more than $439,000 worth of methamphetamine at the San Luis Port of Entry.
According to information released by CBP public affairs, officers referred a 37-year-old legal permanent resident alien from La Fuente, Calif., for additional questioning as she attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico in a Honda van.
After an alert by a CBP canine to a scent it is trained to detect, officers removed approximately 57 pounds of meth, worth more than $172,000 from inside the vehicle’s roof and quarter panels.
Later that evening, officers referred a 36-year-old U.S. Citizen, also from La Fuente, Calif., for further inspection of his GMC SUV as he attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico.
Officers removed more than 100 packages of meth from the vehicle’s quarter panels, following a canine alert.. The drugs weighed more than 89 pounds and are worth just more than $268,000.
CBP officers seized the drugs and vehicles. Both individuals were arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for prosecution.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.