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   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

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Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico downtown port of entry intercepted a narcotic smuggling attempt that prevented nearly 300 pounds of marijuana from entering the United States officials announced today.

The incident occurred at about 12 p.m. on Wednesday, when a white 1998 commercial bus, without passengers, was referred for a secondary inspection examination after a human/narcotic detector dog alerted to the gas tank area of the vehicle during a pre-primary enforcement operation.

During the examination, CBP officers discovered a non-factory compartment within the gas tank revealing 16 huge wrapped packages that field tested positive for marijuana. The total street value of the narcotic was over $100,000.

The bus driver, a 30-year-old male Mexican citizen and Ensenada resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling. Both the narcotic 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.