U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents recently made a significant drug seizure when they intercepted a vehicle that was trying to smuggle 50 pounds of methamphetamine into the country. The illegal drugs were cleverly hidden in an ice chest filled with fish, according to officials.
According to a statement released by CBP officials on Wednesday, a 34-year-old man was driving a 2021 sedan through the SENTRI lane at the Calexico West Port of Entry in southern California when he was diverted by agents for further inspection as he crossed.
The SENTRI lane, also known as the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is primarily utilized by frequent border-crossing travelers. These individuals pay an annual fee to gain access to the SENTRI lanes at border crossings. Compared to the standard passenger car lanes, the SENTRI lanes are usually much shorter, allowing travelers to expedite their journey.
According to authorities, a thorough inspection of the vehicle was carried out in the secondary inspection area. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers used the port’s imaging system to screen the vehicle and noticed anomalies in an ice chest located in the trunk. In response, a CBP K-9 team was called in and the presence of narcotics was detected by the alert from the K-9.
During the inspection, CBP officers made an impressive discovery. They found a total of 25 packages containing methamphetamine, weighing a combined 47.13 pounds. These packages were cleverly hidden within an ice chest.
According to Roque Caza, the Calexico Area Port director, drug traffickers will go to great lengths to try and deceive their officers. Caza expressed his pride in the highly trained officers who work tirelessly every day to combat these dangerous drugs that have tragically taken countless lives.
According to CBP, the halt was a direct outcome of Operation Apollo, an initiative that has intensified the fight against drug trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border. This operation emphasizes collaboration between CPB agents and various partners, including state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, all working together to combat the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.
