EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have recently intercepted over $2.8 million in cocaine and methamphetamine during consecutive drug busts at the southern border, targeting suspected smugglers.
On April 7 and 8, CBP officers uncovered in excess of 430 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine at California’s Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
The initial discovery occurred when a 51-year-old Mexican national, driving a Toyota Prius, was selected for a detailed inspection.
A canine unit’s alert prompted officers to conduct a thorough search, revealing 44 packages of cocaine cleverly hidden within the vehicle’s doors, back seat, and rear quarter panels.
According to a statement released to Fox News Digital, the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 124 pounds and were valued at an estimated $2.4 million.
During the operation on April 7-8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials found over 430 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine stashed in secret compartments of vehicles. (CBP)
The following day, a U.S. citizen described by CBP as a 21-year-old man driving a Nissan Frontier was also referred for secondary inspection.
A canine team and imaging system scan alerted officers to a compartment in the truck bed, where they discovered 25 packages containing about 307 pounds of methamphetamine.
The estimated value of the drugs was $491,200, according to the CBP.
Both drivers were arrested and will face federal prosecution.
CBP officials discovered 44 packages of cocaine hidden in the side door and backseat of a Toyota Prius driven by a 51-year-old man. (CBP)
The seizures highlight ongoing efforts by federal authorities to curb drug trafficking along the southern border, where cartels use increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods, including hidden vehicle compartments and trusted traveler lanes.
Officials say both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals are frequently recruited to transport drugs across ports of entry.
“These back-to-back seizures stopped dangerous criminals in their tracks and prevented deadly narcotics from ever reaching our communities,” Otay Mesa Port Director Rosa Hernandez said. “By combining their professional expertise with advanced technology, our officers demonstrate their commitment to securing our borders and keeping our country safe.”
The two drug busts come after President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, praised Trump’s immigration policies and the impact of border patrol efforts.
CBP officers found 25 packages containing about 307 pounds of methamphetamine in a Nissan Frontier driven by a 21-year-old man. (CBP)
“He’s saving thousands of lives a year because he has a secure border,” Homan said about the president when speaking outside the White House. “Where President Trump had the most secure border in the lifetime of this nation, right now, lives are being saved.”
“Human traffickers are out of business, right? The cartels are going bankrupt because of that secure border,” he added.
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