SAN DIEGO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Diego area ports of entry caught two people, a 59-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, with narcotics strapped to their bodies.
“These are just two examples of smuggling attempts stopped by CBP officers that day, and every day,” said Sidney Aki, Port Director for the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports of entry. “Our officers find people of all ages, genders, and citizenships conducting alleged illegal activity, and must remain vigilant while processing thousands of other legitimate travelers for entry into the U.S.”
At about 5:15 a.m., a 59-year-old man arrived on foot at the San Ysidro border crossing. The CBP officer processing him for entry into the U.S. noticed a bulge under his left arm and referred him aside for a more intensive inspection.
CBP officers found a package taped under his left arm. The package contained 1.14 pounds of heroin, with an estimated street value of about $11,400.
CBP officers seized the heroin and turned the man, a U.S. citizen, over to agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
At about 4:30 p.m., an 18-year-old woman arrived at the Otay Mesa passenger port of entry on foot. While the CBP officer was conducting her inspection for entry into the U.S., another CBP officer with a human/narcotic detector canine screened her, and the dog alerted to her upper torso. Officers escorted her aside for a more intensive inspection.
CBP officers found a package strapped to her torso with elastic bandages, containing 2.04 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of about $20,400.
CBP officers seized the heroin and turned the woman, a Mexican citizen with valid documents to enter the U.S., over to agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.
Both suspected smugglers were booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center to face charges.
