see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting border security operations seized almost 90 pounds of cocaine from a 26-year-old Mexican male yesterday at the Otay Mesa port of entry after he allegedly smuggled the narcotics into the United States, officials announced today.

The cocaine seized is valued at about $2.1 million.

Early Tuesday morning, at about 3:30 a.m., CBP officers encountered the San Ysidro, Calif., resident when he entered the port driving a 2001 Acura MDX. The primary officer discovered a discrepancy with the vehicle and escorted it and the driver to the secondary inspection area for a more in-depth examination.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers utilized a narcotic detector dog that alerted to the vehicle. Officers subsequently discovered an access panel in the floor of the vehicle and extracted 37 packages that field tested positive for cocaine.

The driver was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center to await arraignment in federal court for the failed smuggling attempt. The vehicle and narcotics 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.