San Diego (Friday, October 09, 2009) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa, Calif. cargo port yesterday intercepted 624 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents.
The largest seizure occurred yesterday at about 9:15 a.m. after officers discovered an anomaly in the X-ray image of a 1984 Kenworth tractor pulling an empty trailer. The primary officer had developed information that caused him to refer the conveyance to be run through the port’s X-ray system and an intensive examination.
CBP officers at the Calexico, Calif. cargo port were able to prevent this tractor-trailer from bringing marijuana into the country. When a false compartment behind the cab was opened it revealed 30 bundles of marijuana.
Officers subsequently found 30 large packages of marijuana weighing 543 pounds in a false wall compartment behind the cab of the tractor.
The driver, a 36-year-old Tijuana man, was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Correctional Center. CBP seized the marijuana and the tractor and trailer.
About two hours later, officers intercepted another marijuana smuggling attempt when an empty 1992 Bobtail truck, driven by a 36-year-old Tijuana man, entered the port for inspection. The primary officer noticed inconsistencies with the truck and referred it for a more in-depth examination.
Officers drilled into the truck’s frame rails and discovered a leafy green substance that
Field tested positive for marijuana. They extracted 37 packages of marijuana weighing 81 pounds from both frame rails of the bobtail.
The driver was arrested. CBP seized the marijuana and the conveyance.
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.
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