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Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted two cocaine smuggling attempts worth more than $1 million in a two day period, officials announced today.

The most recent interception occurred yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. at the Calexico east port of entry when a 2007 Volkswagen Leon Sport with Baja California plates was escorted to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 22 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside a specially built compartment in the floor area. The total weight of the narcotics was 57 pounds with a street value of $456,000.

The driver, a 28-year-old female from Mexicali, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both the narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The second interception occurred on Friday, February 13, at about 5:30 p.m., at the Calexico downtown port when a 41-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2004 Ford F-150 pick-up truck with California plates was escorted to the secondary examination area after a detector dog alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

During the secondary examination, an intensive inspection on the vehicle led officers to 32 wrapped packages of cocaine concealed within the back rest of the rear seats. The total weight of the narcotic was 79 pounds with a street value of $632,000.

The driver, a permanent resident of Calexico, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt. Both the narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

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.