Officers seize $2.4M in drugs, including Fentanyl, captured 14 fugitives

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Customs and Border Protection officers working at the ports of entry along the California border with Mexico over the weekend intercepted 314 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $2.4 million and captured 14 fugitives.

From Fri, Nov. 3, through Sun, Nov. 5, CBP officers intercepted more than 181 pounds of methamphetamine, 55 pounds of cocaine, 11 pounds of heroin, 31 pounds of fentanyl and 36 pounds of marijuana. CBP officers discovered the narcotics hidden inside vehicles in various places such as the vehicles' seats, doors, speaker box, gas tank and rocker panels.

During the same time period, 14 fugitives were arrested for various charges that included parole violations, robbery, assault and failure to appear.

A couple significant apprehensions are listed below:

On Friday, Nov. 3, at approximately 12 p.m., CBP officers working at the Otay Mesa border crossing encountered a 23-year-old male United States citizen when he entered the U.S. driving a 2007 Ford Explorer. A CBP canine team was screening vehicles as they waited in line for inspection when the detector dog alerted to the vehicle.

CBP officers referred the vehicle for a more in-depth inspection. CBP officers noticed some discrepancies with the vehicle's oil pan. CBP officers extracted one package of cocaine, two packages of methamphetamine, one package of brown powder heroin and one package of black tar heroin from the oil pan. The weight of the narcotics was 8 pounds with an estimated street value of $73,000.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, at about 11:40 a.m., at the San Ysidro port of entry, a CBP officer encountered a 43-year-old male Mexican citizen with a valid B1/B2 visa driving a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The CBP officer observed some discrepancies with the inspection and referred the man and vehicle for further examination.

During the intensive inspection, CBP officer's used the ports imaging system and observed anomalies in the vehicle's muffler. CBP officers extracted 8 packages of fentanyl weighing 18 pounds. The weight of the narcotics has an estimated street value of approximately $588,500.
CBP officers seized all vehicles and narcotics. All narcotic related subjects were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.

CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.

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 terriost weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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