Andrade Port Officers Intercept 28 Pounds of Cocaine

Andrade, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Andrade port of entry arrested a Mexican citizen after discovering 28 pounds of cocaine hidden in the vehicle he was driving.

CBP officers assigned to the Andrade port of entry discovered 10 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden in a specially built compartment in the floor of a silver 1995 Chevy Camaro

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 17, at about 7 p.m., when a CBP officer conducting vehicle primary inspections referred the driver, an 18-year-old male, to vehicle secondary for further investigation.

In secondary examination, CBP officers conducted an intensive inspection that included a canine team on the silver 1995 Chevy Camaro, and they discovered 10 wrapped packages of cocaine hidden in a specially built compartment in the floor of the vehicle. The narcotic load has a street value of $224,000.

The driver, a lawful permanent resident of Wellton, Ariz., was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt and transported to the Imperial County Jail pending arraignment.

According to Port Director Ray Nagy, he is pleased with the vigilance of the CBP officers working at the Andrade port of entry.

“I am very proud of the dedication displayed by these officers," he said. “They are committed in keeping dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities.”

CBP seized both the vehicle and narcotics.