U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro and Calexico East ports of entry turned a routine Sunday into a very bad day for two drivers, seizing more than 130 pounds of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine on May 17. CBP estimated the combined street value of the haul at about $383,091. Officers seized the narcotics and both vehicles, and the two drivers were arrested as federal prosecutors are expected to pursue importation charges. The busts followed secondary inspections triggered when detection teams and imaging systems flagged irregularities in the passenger vehicles.
At the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a CBP canine team zeroed in on a 2013 Honda Civic driven by a 30-year-old Mexican national. An imaging system showed anomalies in the vehicle's firewall, prompting officers to dig deeper. Inside, they uncovered six packages containing about 7.89 pounds of white fentanyl powder and roughly 8.42 pounds of cocaine, with estimated street values of $113,616 and $161,664 respectively. According to 10News, the packages were discovered during a secondary inspection.
Calexico East discovery
Hours later at the Calexico East Port of Entry, officers sent a 2011 Nissan Cube driven by a 30-year-old U.S. citizen to secondary after a non-intrusive imaging scan showed anomalies in the vehicle floor. Hidden in a non-factory compartment, they found 63 packages of methamphetamine weighing about 119.79 pounds. CBP pegged the street value at roughly $107,811. El Mexicano and other outlets reported that the vehicle and narcotics were seized and the driver detained.
In a statement to 10News, San Diego Director of Field Operations Sidney K. Aki used the moment to underline how busy border work can get: "Sunday may be a day of rest for many, but criminals don't take days off, and neither do our CBP officers." Aki said the seizures highlight the payoff from around-the-clock vigilance by inspection and detection teams.
Where this fits
The May 17 seizures are part of a string of sizable drug interdictions reported by CBP's San Diego Field Office in recent weeks. For additional context, Hoodline previously covered a separate April case in which officers intercepted more than 1,000 pounds of liquid meth at Calexico; see Calexico Border Bust Nets Big Rig.
According to CBP, both May 17 drivers face federal prosecution for alleged narcotics importation, and the seized evidence and vehicles will be turned over for further investigation and possible charges. At the time of reporting, officials had not released charging documents or court dates, and anyone with information was urged to contact CBP through its established tip lines.
