U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry seized over 40 pounds of cocaine concealed in a vehicle on July 1, with an estimated street value of $775,296.
The seizure occurred when a white Toyota Rav4 arrived at the port. During pre-primary roving operations, a CBP canine partner alerted officers to the vehicle while it was waiting in line. The officer instructed the driver, a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen, to open the trunk. The canine entered and alerted to the rear seat area. Upon physical inspection, officers discovered brick-shaped packages wrapped in black tape and referred the vehicle for secondary inspection using nonintrusive imaging technology, which revealed additional anomalies in the seats.
Officers extracted ten packages from the rear cargo area and five from the front seats. Testing confirmed that all fifteen packages contained cocaine weighing approximately 40.38 pounds.
“This significant seizure is a direct result of our layered enforcement strategy in action,” said San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin. “By combining tactical roving operations and highly trained canine teams with nonintrusive imaging technology, our officers successfully intercepted these dangerous narcotics before they could reach our communities.”
CBP seized the cocaine, vehicle, and one cellphone involved in this incident. Officers arrested the driver and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.
Under President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s leadership, CBP officers along the southwest border stop illegal activity including drug smuggling while facilitating lawful entry for millions into the United States. Since President Trump took office, CBP has seized 83,854 pounds of cocaine through March 31.