see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

San Ysidro, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting border security inspections late last week at the San Ysidro port of entry discovered three illegal aliens hidden in specially built compartments in two separate vehicles, and arrested a SENTRI driver for narcotics smuggling, officials announced today.

Early Friday morning, at about 12:30 a.m., CBP officers encountered a 23-year-old U.S. citizen driver, a 27-year-old female, and 16-year-old male as they entered the port in a grey 2007 Ford Explorer. Upon noticing a speaker box in the rear cargo area of the Explorer, the primary officer referred the vehicle and occupants to the secondary area for a more in-depth examination.

During the secondary inspection, officers opened the speaker box and discovered a 27-year-old Mexican male lying in the non-factory compartment. The man is being held by CBP, and will be a material witness in the prosecution case.

The driver and female passenger were both arrested for the foiled smuggling attempt. The 16-year-old male was released to a relative. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

About a half an hour later, an officer conducting an inspection of a 2001 Dodge Durango and its driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, discovered a non-factory compartment affixed to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The vehicle and occupant were escorted to the secondary inspectional lot.

In the inspectional lot, officers removed the backs seats uncovering the access panel to the non-factory compartment where they discovered a 20-year-old Mexican male and a 20-year-old Mexican female hidden inside. CBP officers were able to remove them safely.

The driver was arrested. The undocumented female was held by CBP as a material witness in the prosecution case. The smuggled male was administratively processed and returned to Mexico.

On Saturday, CBP officers at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings intercepted more than 911 pounds of marijuana in six separate incidents. The marijuana valued at $2.7 million, was found hidden in various locations within the vehicles such as the gas tank, tires, bumper and dashboard.

A significant seizure occurred on Saturday at about 9:45 a.m., when officers arrested a 23-year-old Mexican citizen from Tijuana registered in the SENTRI program after they found almost 167 pounds of marijuana in a 2001 Toyota Rav-4. The man entered the San Ysidro border station through a SENTRI vehicle lane and was the sole occupant.

During the secondary examination, officers found 30 packages of marijuana hidden in all five tires of the vehicle. The driver was arrested, his SENTRI privileges were revoked and the vehicle was seized.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.