Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego intercepted eight separate cocaine smuggling attempts over two days, preventing more than 240 pounds of narcotics from entering the United States. The operations led to the apprehension of eight drivers holding visas and the seizure of several commercial tractor-trailers.
The first three seizures took place on March 4, 2025. At around 2:00 p.m., a 31-year-old male with a border crossing card was stopped while driving an empty commercial tractor-trailer. A secondary inspection revealed a non-factory compartment in the cabin floor containing 18 packages of cocaine weighing 46.82 pounds.
Less than an hour later, another empty tractor-trailer driven by a 39-year-old male was inspected. Officers found a similar compartment with 24 packages of cocaine weighing 61.11 pounds.
At approximately 3:11 p.m., a third driver, aged 52, was caught with a hidden compartment containing 25 packages of cocaine totaling 63.44 pounds.
On March 5, CBP officers thwarted five additional smuggling attempts between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Two separate tractor-trailers were flagged for anomalies in their passenger-side floors using imaging technology, leading to the discovery of compartments with a combined total of 30.99 pounds of cocaine.
At around 3:10 p.m., another driver was found with six packages weighing 15.30 pounds after a K-9 alert during inspection.
Later at about 3:45 p.m., officers discovered seven packages weighing 16.53 pounds in an empty tractor-trailer driven by a B1/B2 visa holder.
The final seizure occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., when officers uncovered six packages totaling 15.65 pounds from another vehicle operated by a B1 visa holder.
“These seizures are a testament to the exceptional training, skills, and dedication of our officers in their commitment to safeguarding our borders and protecting the American public,” stated Rosa E. Hernandez, Port Director for the Area Port of Otay Mesa. “Within just two days, their vigilance and expertise resulted in eight significant cocaine seizures."
All individuals involved were handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing, while CBP seized the narcotics and vehicles involved.
CBP continues to improve its enforcement strategies through advanced screening technology and K-9 teams to counteract evolving smuggling tactics effectively.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's frontline law enforcement organization responsible for securing borders on land, air, and sea while facilitating lawful travel and trade to support economic prosperity.
