see also: in March 2006 News Releases:   Customs and Border Protection Seized the Moment at Elementary School   CBP Donates Thousands of Seized Clothing Items and Toys to Those Affected by Hurricane Rita   Cooperative Effort Between CBP Border Patrol and Mexican Police Leads to Narcotic Seizure and Arrests   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Thwart Human Smuggling Attempt   Aduanas Y Proteccion Fronteriza Recomiendan Tramitar Con Tiempo Permiso I-94 Durante Semana Santa   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Urges Easter Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents   Sarita Checkpoint Seizures Net Marijuana and Cocaine ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted almost 1,400 pounds of marijuana and methamphetamines in16 incidents at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry this past weekend, officials announced today. In three days, vigilant CBP officers seized more than 1,300 lbs of marijuana and almost 47 lbs of methamphetamines and confiscated 15 vehicles and one motorcycle used in the smuggling attempts.

“Although our primary mission is to deter the entry of terrorists and implements of terrorism, the benefits of increased border security result from improved technology tools, better officer training and increasing use of canine teams,” said Adele Fasano, director of field operations for San Diego. “These apprehensions are a result of that increased security. We intend to put smugglers on notice: they can expect rigorous prosecution and substantial prison sentences when CBP foils their smuggling attempts.”

In the secondary inspection area of the two ports, CBP officers performing routine anti-terrorism inspections found the marijuana and methamphetamines hidden in various locations of the vehicles such as the gas tank, in the seats, in the quarter panels, dashboard and tires with some attempts using multiple hiding places.

CBP officers encountered the largest marijuana seizure on Friday, March 10, at about 2:00 p.m. when a 35-year old male from Ensenada, driving a gold 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, waited for inspection at the San Ysidro port of entry. A canine unit was roving pre-primary when the narcotic detector dog alerted to the Oldsmobile.

The vehicle and driver were escorted into the secondary lot where CBP officers found 36 packages of marijuana weighing almost 171 lbs in the dashboard. The subject was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents and transported to the San Diego County jail for processing.

On Friday, March 10, at about 11:00 a.m. at the Otay Mesa Mesa port of entry, CBP officers arrested a 19-year old man from Tijuana when a narcotics detector dog alerted to the 1990 Honda Civic he was driving as he waited to enter the United States. Officers removed 18 packages of marijuana weighing 125 lbs from the quarter panels and roof of the vehicle. The driver was turned over to ICE agents.

The largest methamphetamine seizure occurred at about 4:40 a.m. on Friday, March 10, at the San Ysidro border station when officers arrested a 35-year old woman from San Ysidro when they found 18 packages of methamphetamine weighing 22 lbs in the 2003 Ford Focus she was driving. The driver was turned over to ICE agents and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

CBP officers at the San Ysidro port of entry arrested a 20-year old man from Tijuana on at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, March 10, when they discovered almost six pounds of methamphetamines hidden in the gas tank of the 1990 Suzuki motorcycle the man attempted to drive into the United States. The driver was also turned over to ICE agents for further processing.

“Smugglers will use any means available to smuggle contraband into the United States, including vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and backpacks,” Fasano said.

Bulk value of the narcotics is estimated at more than $797,000.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.