Calexico, California – In two separate incidents, U.S. Border Patrol agents seized an estimated 1,176 pounds of marijuana.
At approximately 9 p.m., three individuals were observed loading three large bundles into the back of a pickup truck near the Calexico East Port of Entry. The three individuals then attempted to return to Mexico before being apprehended by nearby Border Patrol agents.
The driver of the pickup was later questioned while parked at a nearby gas station. A consensual search of the vehicle yielded approximately 221 pounds of marijuana. The driver was arrested and transported to the Calexico Border Patrol Station along with the other three suspects.
The second incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m., while a canine team was conducting a routine inspection of a railroad yard near downtown Calexico. A canine alert resulted in the discovery of several small packages hidden in the undercarriage of a tanker car. Further examination of the packages yielded 955 pounds of marijuana.
Suspects and marijuana for both incidents were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
