Politics & Government
Border Patrol Seizes Over 100 Pounds Of Cocaine In California
Officers discover cocaine in concealed compartment of commercial truck driven by Mexican citizen entering U.S. through cargo primary lanes.
(The Center Square) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted more than 100 pounds of cocaine during a search of a trailer in Imperial County last week, an amount they estimate has a street value of more than $1 million.
"Officers discovered the cocaine in a concealed compartment of a commercial truck that was driven by a 22-year-old Mexican citizen that entered the U.S. through cargo primary lanes," according to a news release from CBP.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The truck was referred for further inspection, and CBP officers found “abnormalities” in the bottom of the trailer using an imaging system at the Calexico commercial facility. A K-9 alerted to the narcotics, and officers found that a special compartment had been built into the floor of the trailer.
Officers found 38 packages with more than 105 pounds of cocaine in the compartment. Officials estimate the cocaine has a street value of $1.4 million.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Smugglers are constantly utilizing innovative methods to conceal narcotics,” Anne Maricich, CBP deputy director of Field Operations in San Diego, said in a statement. “Our K-9 team serves as a vital asset in keeping harmful drugs off our streets.”
The driver was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for processing and the truck, trailer and narcotics were seized.
The focus of the work of The Center Square California is state and local-level government and economic reporting that approaches stories with a taxpayer sensibility.
