Border Patrol Activity

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize nearly $838K of Cocaine, Meth, and Marijuana from Multiple Smuggling Attempts throughout San Diego County

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley, prevented a narcotics smuggling attempt yesterday resulting in the seizure of 53.02 pounds of cocaine and 10.14 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $733,000.

Border Patrol agents discovered a non-factory compartment in a vehicle’s gas tank at the I-8 checkpoint.

At approximately 4:50 p.m., agents encountered the 22-year-old male United States citizen driver of a gold 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada, and his 23-year-old female United States citizen passenger, as they arrived to the checkpoint. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the occupants’ nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a non-factory compartment in the gas tank which contained 21 bundles of cocaine worth an estimated $530,200, and seven bundles of methamphetamine worth an estimated $202,800. The two suspected smugglers and illicit narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

	Agents seized a total of $733,000 worth of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Since Monday morning, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 checkpoints have made three additional seizures that included marijuana and methamphetamine, resulting in the arrests of three suspected smugglers. The total estimated street value of the three seizures was $104,995. The four vehicles involved in the smuggling incidents were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. 

Agents stopped a vehicle along the Interstate 5 and discovered numerous bundles of marijuana concealed inside one of the tires.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

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.

Yuma Border Patrol Agents Seize Abandoned Go-Kart Loaded with Marijuana

Yuma, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector seized an abandoned go-kart loaded with approximately 217 pounds of marijuana Tuesday night.

Agents assigned to Yuma Station and officers from the Cocopah Tribal Police Department were patrolling the border near County 17th Street when they discovered a go-kart attempting to leave the area. Upon detection, the go-kart turned around and headed back toward the border. Agents and officers followed the go-kart and found it abandoned.

	Agents from Yuma Sector seized an abandoned go-kart loaded with approximately 217 pounds of marijuana Tuesday.

The go-kart and marijuana, worth an estimated $108,600, were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Border Patrol has made significant progress toward combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their ability to transport contraband throughout the United States and ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. 

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.

Three Mexican Nationals Arrested Following Interdiction of Drug Smuggling Boat in Los Angeles CountyVessel carried nearly $1.3 million worth of marijuana

Malibu, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agents arrested three men early Saturday morning following the seizure of a Mexican panga-style boat and more than one and a quarter tons of marijuana along the Malibu coast.

CBP reported the arrests of three men early Saturday morning following the seizure of a Mexican panga-style boat loaded with marijuana.

California National Guardsmen, working in support of CBP coastal operations, initially spotted the vessel offshore and relayed the information to law enforcement officers in the area. CBP officers and agents, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Point Dume State Beach shortly after midnight, where they discovered the boat and numerous bales of marijuana totaling 2,575 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,287,500.

The three men, who had illegally entered the United States on board the boat, were taken into custody and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

In addition to CBP, the U.S. Coast Guard, HSI, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and several other law enforcement agencies assisted with Saturday morning’s enforcement action.

As the Department of Homeland Security has increased coastal border security in Southern California, transnational criminal organizations have shifted their smuggling tactics farther north into Los Angeles and Ventura counties. As a result, CBP and its partners have intensified efforts to target the illegal activity, expanding the use of marine patrols, land-based surveillance, and collaboration with the Government of Mexico.

Those efforts are being overseen by the Department of Homeland Security’s recently established Los Angeles/Long Beach Regional Coordination Mechanism. The group is comprised of ICE HSI, CBP’s Office of Air and Marine, Office of Field Operations, and U.S. Border Patrol; the U.S. Coast Guard; and several state and local law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff’s offices of Orange and Los Angeles counties; and the Los Angeles Police Department. The California National Guard also provides numerous entry identification teams along Southern and Central California’s coastal borders in support of the maritime border security mission.

In fiscal year 2011, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Regional Coordination Mechanism recorded a total of 26 maritime smuggling incidents in the greater Los Angeles area, including seven in Ventura County. To date in fiscal year 2012, there have been 14 such incidents in the Southland, including three in Ventura County and one in Santa Barbara County.

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.