Calexico, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 17 tons of marijuana at the Calexico East cargo facility Thursday, July 25, making it the largest narcotic bust for the Calexico ports of entry.
The incident occurred on Thursday at about 3:00 p.m. when a 2013 Kenworth tractor-trailer entered the cargo facility with cargo manifested as computer monitors. A CBP officer referred the conveyance for further examination.
CBP officers ran the conveyance through the port’s imaging system, revealing anomalies with the cargo. While parked at the dock, a canine team screened the conveyance and the detector dog alerted to pallets inside the trailer. Officers subsequently removed 2,471 packages of marijuana hidden inside cardboard boxes behind pallets of computer parts.
A total of 35,274 pounds of marijuana was seized, valued at almost $10 million.
“This record-setting seizure at the port of Calexico has dealt a significant blow to the drug trafficking organizations operating in this region,” said area port director Billy Whitford. “These criminals should take notice that our CBP officers will work diligently to disrupt all types of drug smuggling attempts at our ports of entry.”
CBP seized the narcotics and conveyance.
