SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Border Patrol agents this week seized more than $3.2 million in cocaine and methamphetamine packed inside a charter bus.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers said the bus was stopped at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry after a canine team gave a positive alert while the bus was awaiting inspection.
Upon further inspection, officers found 98 packages of narcotics hidden inside the bus's gas tank. Forty-eight packages contained more than 200 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $3 million, according to CBP.
The other 50 packages of contained 25 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at $182,000.
"CBP officers remain vigilant and committed to halting the drug trafficking originations attempts to smuggle narcotics into the U.S." Pete Flores, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego, said. "CBP’s seizure of these narcotics sends a strong message that our efforts to stop illegal narcotics from entering our country will never falter."
The driver of the bus, identified as a 50-year-old Mexican citizen and B1/B2 Visa holder, was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
An immigration detainer was placed on him so that after the judicial process he will be returned to DHS custody, CBP said.
