see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   CBP Officers Nab More than $1 Million in Narcotics in 48-hour Period   Philadelphia CBP Seizes $650,000 in Fake Bank Checks   CBP on a Roll Seizing Fake Handbags, Footwear Again in California   Calexico Downtown Port Officers Intercept $100K Narcotic Smuggling Attempt   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Calexico, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry intercepted four narcotic smuggling attempts over a three day period preventing a total of 204 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine from entering the United States, officials announced today.

The total value of the seized narcotics is estimated at over $1.7 million.

The most recent interception occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, when a tan 2008 Chevrolet Malibu with Baja California license plates was escorted to the vehicle secondary examination area after a canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

At the examination area, CBP officers conducted an intensive inspection that led them to the discovery of a non-factory compartment located underneath the backseat area of the vehicle. A total of 24 wrapped packages of cocaine were discovered with a weight of 63 pounds. The street value of the narcotics was over $500,000.

The driver, a 44-year-old Mexicali resident, was arrested. The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP.

The second interception occurred at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, when a black 2007 Honda Ridgeline with Baja California license plates was referred to the vehicle secondary examination area after a canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

During the examination, CBP officers observed signs of tampering to the rear seat area of the vehicle. A closer inspection of the area led to the discovery of a specially built compartment that concealed 43 wrapped packages of cocaine. The weight of the narcotics was 103 pounds with a street value of over $800,000.

The driver, a 46-year-old male Mexicali resident, was arrested. The narcotics and vehicle were seized.

Earlier that day at about 10 a.m., a 33-year-old Mexican citizen driving a brown 1999 Nissan Frontier was referred to the vehicle secondary examination area after a canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

At the secondary inspection area, an intensive examination revealed 26 wrapped packages concealed inside the vehicle’s rocker panels. The total weight of the narcotic was 29 pounds with a street value of over $300,000. The narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP and the driver, a resident of Mexicali, was placed under arrest.

The fourth seizure occurred at about 10 a.m. on Friday, August 15, when a silver 2006 Chevy HHR LT with California license plates was referred to the vehicle secondary examination area after the primary officer notice inconsistencies with the driver’s responses.

The utilization of a canine alerted CBP officers to the rear seat area of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the area, an electrical compartment was discovered behind the seat concealing four vacuumed packages of methamphetamine. The total weight of the narcotic was nine pounds with a street value of over $100,000.

The driver, a 28-year-old female U.S. citizen residing in Calexico, was arrested and transported to the Imperial County Jail. 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.