Cover Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Patrice Spears
Calexico , CA – Routine inspections by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico Port of Entry lead to a huge narcotics bust. Hidden in 3 separate railcars was 486.06 pounds of Methamphetamine.
Above: Evidence seized during search warrants | U. S. Customs and Border Protection Agency
The drugs were hidden in the beams of the railcars. Jennifer De La O, CBP Director of Field Operation for the San Diego Field Office stated, “Using natural compartments on railcars is only one of the methods used by transnational criminal organizations to evade detection. Our CBP officers work hard every day to intercept contraband which shows their commitment and vigilance to the CBP mission.”
The CBP officers made the first discovery on October 31st using the rail x-ray imaging system. They noticed 2 cars that had anomalies. A human/narcotic detector dog was used to investigate the cars. The dog alerted CBP officers of narcotics. The investigation of the first car found 197 packages of methamphetamine hidden in the beam of the car. The investigation of the second railcar led to the discovery of 105 packages of methamphetamine also hidden in the beam of the railcar. The estimated street value of the drugs is $417,456.
The next discovery happened on November 2nd. Again using the x-ray imaging system they found the same kind of anomalies on a single car of a train coming from Mexico. Again a human/narcotics detector dog was used to investigate the car and alerted to the presence of narcotics. This time the CBP officers were able to confiscate 138.18 pounds of methamphetamine worth a street value of $165,816.
All 3 search and seizures led to a whopping $583,272 worth of Methamphetamine being confiscated.
So far no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
