CBP officials at the Calexico West Port of Entry seized 99.91 pounds of methamphetamine from a trusted traveler on Tuesday.
Around 4:33 p.m., CBP officers came across a 34-year-old woman who was driving a 2019 sedan and trying to enter the United States from Mexico via the SENTRI Trusted Traveler Program vehicle lanes. The officers conducted an initial inspection and then referred the driver and vehicle for further examination.
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Upon reaching the secondary inspection area, CBP officers utilized a non-intrusive port imaging system to conduct a vehicle scan. During the scan, irregularities were detected in the door panels and dashboard, which led to the deployment of a CBP K-9 team. The K-9 team was able to detect the presence of narcotics, ultimately leading to the identification of contraband.
Upon noticing irregularities on the CBP port imaging systems, officers decided to take a closer look at the center console of the vehicle. Upon inspection, they uncovered concealed substances that were consistent with methamphetamine.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, law enforcement officials uncovered 91 hidden packages stashed within the doors and dashboard. A thorough analysis of the package contents confirmed that they contained 99.91 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to Roque Caza, the Port Director for the Area Port of Calexico, narcotics traffickers often look for simple methods to smuggle drugs across the border and may focus on individuals who are part of the Trusted Traveler Program. He emphasized that travelers crossing the border should keep in mind that they are accountable for themselves, their companions, their car, and anything inside it.
CBP officers seized the drugs and the vehicle, while the driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
The recent seizure is an outcome of Operation Apollo, which is a comprehensive counter-fentanyl strategy that commenced on October 26, 2023, in southern California and extended to Arizona on April 10, 2024. The primary focus of Operation Apollo is intelligence gathering and partnerships. It leverages local CBP field assets reinforced by federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial collaborators to enhance resources, strengthen cooperation, and combat the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States.
