see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   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

San Diego – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the busy San Ysidro, Calif. port of entry had their hands full this week processing within a 48-hour period over 800 pounds of narcotics discovered concealed in eight vehicles that entered the United States from Mexico.

CBP officers on Monday and Tuesday made seven marijuana seizures totaling 755 pounds and valued at about $340,000. They also discovered another car containing over 24 pounds of methamphetamine and 34 pounds of cocaine valued together at about $827,000.

Eight drivers, five U.S. citizens and three Mexicans, and three passengers were arrested in connection with the failed smuggling attempts. The narcotics and vehicles were seized by CBP.

Five of the smuggling attempts were caught on Monday at the San Ysidro port.

Officers discovered over 130 pounds of marijuana hidden in the bed floor of a 1999 Ford F-150 when it entered the port at about 2:10 a.m. The driver, a 21-year old male U.S. citizen, was arrested and his vehicle was seized by CBP.

Two hours later, a 47-year old female U.S. citizen was arrested after CBP officers discovered over 96 pounds of marijuana in the spare tire and floor of a 1999 Honda Odyssey.

At about 2:30 p.m., a 39-year old female U.S. citizen driver and her 58-year old female U.S. citizen passenger were detained after officers found 24 pounds of methamphetamine and 34 pounds of cocaine in the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu in which they were riding.

A female Mexican driver and her male Mexican passenger were arrested after officers found about 93 pounds of marijuana concealed in the undercarriage, engine compartment and tailgate of their 1991 Chevrolet Blazer when it entered the San Ysidro port at about 4:50 p.m.

CBP officers seized another 58 pounds of marijuana after it was discovered in the spare tire of a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche that entered the San Ysidro port at about 8:40 p.m. The driver, a 19-year old male U.S. citizen, and a 27-year old female U.S. citizen passenger were detained.

Early Tuesday morning, port officers found over 34 pounds of marijuana hidden inside the spare tire of a 1995 Ford Explorer after it entered the border station at about 1:40 a.m. The driver, a male 22-year old legal permanent resident from Mexico, was arrested.

A 27-year old male U.S. citizen was arrested about three hours later after CBP officers discovered over 70 pounds of marijuana concealed in the gas tank of his 1994 GMC Suburban.

Later that morning, officers detained a 18-year old male Mexican driver after officers found 273 pounds of marijuana concealed within the dashboard and tires of the 2005 Nissan Titan he was driving.

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.