The first interception occurred last Wednesday morning when CBP officers encountered a 71-year-old male driving a pick-up truck through the dedicated commuter lane.
During an initial inspection, CBP officers noticed tampering on the truck’s spare tire, at this time a CBP human/narcotic detector dog was requested and alerted CBP officers to the presence of narcotics. Which led to the discovery of 54 packages of methamphetamine with a total weight of 49.03 pounds and an estimated street value of $322,480.
The second interception took place the following day when CBP officers discovered 20 packages of cocaine weighing 52.11 pounds with an estimated street value of $827,400, concealed in the back seat of a 2007 Toyota sedan driven by a 21-year-old male.
Both drivers were detained for alleged narcotic smuggling attempts and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing.
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a program along the southwest land border that allows expedited screening for pre-approved, low risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Participants of the program may utilize dedicated “express lanes” to enter the United States at land ports of entry across the nation. All SENTRI applicants undergo a rigorous background check, provide biometric information including fingerprints, and an in-person interview as part of the approval process.
