U.S. Customs Seizes 47 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Ice Chest at California Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 47.13 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in an ice chest of fish from a 34-year-old man's sedan at the Calexico West Port of Entry in California on Sunday. The incident occurred around 8:39 p.m. local time when officers referred the driver and vehicle for further examination.

During the secondary inspection, CBP officers used the port's imaging system and a K-9 team to detect the presence of narcotics in the ice chest located in the vehicle's trunk. Officers discovered 25 packages containing the methamphetamine hidden among the fish. The drugs were extracted and tested, confirming the substance as methamphetamine.

The driver, a 34-year-old male, was attempting to enter the United States through the SENTRI lane, a CBP program for pre-approved, low-risk travelers who undergo background checks and pay an annual fee for expedited border crossing. However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted by the diligence of the CBP officers.

Why this matters: The seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to combat drug smuggling at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Methamphetamine smuggling poses a significant threat to public health and safety in communities across the United States.

The suspect was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation, while the narcotics and vehicle were seized by CBP officers from the San Diego Field Office. "This seizure was an excellent example of the diligence and dedication of CBP officers," said Anne Maricich, CBP Deputy Director of Field Operations in San Diego.

The seizure was a result of Operation Apollo, a counter-fentanyl effort that began in October 2023 in southern California and expanded to Arizona in April 2024. The operation focuses on intelligence collection and multi-level partnerships to target the smuggling of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into the United States.

Key Takeaways

• CBP seized 47.13 lbs of meth hidden in an ice chest of fish at Calexico, CA border.
• The meth was discovered during a secondary inspection of a 34-year-old man's vehicle.
• The suspect was attempting to enter the US through the SENTRI expedited border crossing lane.
• The seizure was part of Operation Apollo, a counter-fentanyl effort in Southern California.
• The meth seizure highlights CBP's ongoing efforts to combat drug smuggling at US-Mexico border.