see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico ports of entry intercepted 13 narcotic smuggling attempts over a six-day period, preventing 97 pounds of cocaine, 14 pounds of methamphetamine, and 453 pounds of marijuana from entering the United States. Total value of the seized narcotics is estimated at $1,107,700.

“These significant drug seizures are examples of the remarkable job Calexico CBP officers do everyday to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country,” said Port Director Billy Whitford.

The first interception occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Calexico West port of entry when a 44-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2003 Chrysler Ram entered the country from Mexico. Following a primary inspection, the booth officer referred the driver to the secondary inspection area for further examination.

During the secondary inspection, a Human/Narcotic Detector Dog alerted officers to the dashboard area of the vehicle. Upon further examination, a specially built compartment within the dashboard was revealed which contained 20 packages of cocaine totaling 50 pounds.

The Mexicali resident was placed under arrest and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further disposition.

The second interception occurred later that day at about 5:15 p.m. at the Calexico downtown port. A 32-year-old male United States citizen walking towards the pedestrian area was stopped by CBP officers during a pre-primary roving operation.

Following a pre-primary interview, the individual was taken to the secondary area for further inspection. Upon further examination, three packages were discovered taped to the individual. One of the packages was probed which proved positive for marijuana. The total weight of the narcotic was three pounds.

The El Centro resident was processed and penalized for the illegal importation of narcotics.

On Monday, July 7, four narcotic smuggling attempts were foiled at the Calexico downtown port of entry. The first two incidents involved a 19-year-old Mexican male and a 15-year-old male United States citizen.

The incidents occurred at the pedestrian area where the individuals where making entry into the United States. Both individuals were referred to the pedestrian secondary examination area for further inspection. During the inspection, packages of marijuana were revealed taped onto the legs and abdomen areas. Both individuals were arrested and turned over to Calexico Police Department for further disposition.

The third incident involved a 19-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 1991 Ford Explorer who was referred to the secondary inspection area for further examination.

During the secondary examination, a Human/Narcotic Detector Dog alerted officers to the tires of the vehicle. Upon further examination, 24 packages of marijuana were concealed within all four tires of the vehicle.

The Mexicali resident was placed under arrest and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.

The fourth incident that day involved a 36-year-old male Mexican citizen who entered the port driving a 1990 Dodge Ram Charger. During the primary inspection, the officer referred the driver to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During the secondary inspection, a canine alerted officers to the under carriage area of the vehicle. Upon further examination, 16 packages of methamphetamine were revealed in the transfer case area of the vehicle. The total weight of the narcotic was 14 pounds.

The Mexicali resident was placed under arrest and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.

On Tuesday, July 8, a 19-year old U.S. citizen, entered the downtown port at about 10 a.m. driving a 2004 Jeep Cherokee entered from Mexico. During primary inspection, the officer referred the driver to the secondary inspection are for further examination.

During the secondary inspection, a canine alerted to a rear tire of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the tire, it revealed 29 marijuana packages concealed within the tire.

The Omaha, Neb. resident was placed under arrest and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.

On July 9, CBP officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry intercepted five narcotic loads, four with marijuana and one containing cocaine. The drivers of these vehicles were four Mexican nationals and one United States citizen. The weight for the marijuana loads totaled 291 pounds. The weight for the cocaine load totaled 47 pounds. The totaled narcotic weight for the day was 338 pounds with a street value of $492,400.

All drivers were placed under arrest by ICE agents and transported to the Imperial County Jail were they wait to be arraigned.

The most recent interception occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the Calexico downtown port of entry when a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen was referred to the secondary inspection area for further examination.

During the secondary inspection, a canine was utilized to screen the vehicle and alerted to the vehicle’s dashboard area. Upon further inspection of the dashboard, 18 packages wrapped in black duct tape were revealed within the dashboard area. One package was probed and proved positive for marijuana.

The total weight of the packages was 43 pounds with a street value of $17,200.

The Calexico resident was placed under arrest and turned over to ICE agents for further disposition.

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.