The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Wednesday (November 5) a record-breaking seizure of 290 pounds of heroin valued at over $13 million at the San Diego border, leading to the arrest of a Mexican man with legal residency in the U.S.
Authorities revealed that the illegal drugs were concealed in various compartments of a vehicle driven by the suspect, intending to enter the U.S. through the San Ysidro port of entry.
Around 5:05 pm on October 22, the suspect drove a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickup truck into the main lane of the port of entry. A K-9 officer with a trained drug detection dog conducted an initial inspection, and the dog indicated a possible presence of drugs in the spare tire area of the vehicle.
Subsequently, officials brought the driver to a inspection booth where he presented a valid permanent resident card and two Customs declaration forms, stating that he was not carrying any items upon entry. The driver also informed officials that his destination was Santa Ana, California.
CBP stated that anomalies were discovered in the spare tire compartment, rear seats, right front fender, and firewall of the vehicle. During the dismantling process, officials uncovered a total of 72 packages of heroin from hidden compartments such as the air filter, fender, glove compartment, rear seats, and spare tire.
A CBP report confirmed, “Drug testing kits verified that the packages contained heroin.”
Sidney Aki, Director of CBP Border Office, remarked that the quantity of heroin seized in the vehicle set a new record. “This interception operation directly benefits from the high alertness and professionalism of our CBP officers and their K-9 partners,” Aki said. “They stand on the frontlines every day, dedicated to combatting criminal networks and ensuring community safety and stability.”
In another significant drug bust on October 31, CBP seized $1.2 million worth of cocaine in Donna, Texas. Federal authorities discovered the drugs at the Donna International Bridge.
CBP officials instructed a vehicle driven by a 32-year-old Mexican man to undergo a second K-9 inspection. During the search, officials found 19 packages suspected to contain approximately 43 pounds of cocaine inside the vehicle.
CBP estimated the street value of these drugs to be around $1.3 million. A special agent from the Department of Homeland Security subsequently arrested the driver (name undisclosed) and initiated a criminal investigation.