By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–Federal authorities seized more than 225 pounds of cocaine and discovered a woman hidden inside a vehicle dashboard during two separate smuggling attempts on April 28 at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.
The first incident occurred at the San Ysidro Port of Entry when CBP officers referred a 21-year-old U.S. citizen driving a Ford F-250 to a secondary inspection area.
During the inspection, officers used imaging technology and a CBP canine team, which alerted them to anomalies inside the truck. A subsequent physical search uncovered 81 packages of cocaine concealed in the vehicle’s spare tire and gas tank, officials said.
The narcotics weighed approximately 225.44 pounds and carried an estimated street value of more than $4.3 million.
Later that same day at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, officers referred a 20-year-old U.S. citizen driving a Toyota Camry for a secondary inspection after imaging technology detected irregularities in the vehicle’s dashboard.
During a physical search, officers discovered a 31-year-old Chinese national concealed inside a non-factory compartment built into the dashboard, according to CBP.
“Smugglers will go to creative and dangerous lengths to move narcotics and people across the border,” said Sidney Aki. “But our officers are even more determined. Their commitment to discovering these smuggling attempts, no matter how concealed, is essential to keeping our communities and neighborhoods safe.”
CBP officers seized the cocaine, the Ford F-250 and the Toyota Camry. Both drivers were arrested and are expected to face federal prosecution, officials said.
