TECATE, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Tecate, California, seized more than 400 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin concealed in toolboxes in an April 1 seizure worth an estimated $2.56 million.
According to a news release, the officers working at the Tecate Port of Entry stopped a 2006 Toyota Tundra driven by a 56-year-old Mexican national with a valid legal permanent resident document.
Further inspection of the vehicle revealed 94 packages of narcotics stashed inside and underneath multiple toolboxes on the bed of the vehicle. Testing confirmed the suspected narcotics to be slightly more than 415 pounds of cocaine, meth and heroin, the agency stated.
Rosa Hernandez, port director for the larger Otay Mesa Port of Entry, called the bust a “true testament to the diligence of our frontline CBP officers.”
“Our officers continue to remain vigilant and prevent illicit narcotics from poisoning our local communities,” Hernandez stated.
CBP officers arrested the driver for the alleged narcotics smuggling attempt and turned him over to the Homeland Security Investigations unit of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further processing.