July 27, 2008
CBP Officers in Calif. Discover 5 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Truck
Calexico, Calif. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico east port of entry cargo facility seized more than five tons of marijuana found in a tractor-trailer rig that entered the port at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, officials announced today.
CBP officers found 469 wrapped packages of the narcotic weighing 10,224 pounds and valued at $4.6 million hidden in numerous boxes manifested as tools, instruments and parts, officials said.
CBP officers ordered the tractor-trailer rig to the ports gamma-ray facility for an intensive examination after the truck entered the U.S. from Mexico. The intensive examination revealed anomalies in the shipment so it was referred to the dock for off-loading of the merchandise.
CBP officers discovered a green leafy substance concealed within boxes that field tested positive for marijuana.
The driver, a 22-year-old Mexican male, was arrested by special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and subsequently transported to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment. The tractor-trailer and narcotics were seized by CBP.
The seizure follows another incident on June 13 when CBP officers at the East port facility discovered over seven tons of marijuana on a cargo truck that entered the U.S. with a load of plastic articles. The driver, a 32-year old Mexican male, was arrested by ICE agents and the narcotics and conveyance were seized by CBP.
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.
