Drug carriers attempting to smuggle across the border in San Diego County and neighboring Imperial County come in all shapes and sizes. In Andrade, authorities recently came across a more senior smuggling suspect -- a 68-year-old man from Yuma, Ariz.
The incident began around 6 p.m. on December 23, when the suspect entered the border crossing in a white 1997 Ford Explorer.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer on duty at the time referred him to a secondary inspection area.
A sharp-nosed CBP canine honed in on the vehicle, leading officers to suspect drugs were aboard.
The subsequent search turned up nearly 200 pounds of pot hidden throughout the vehicle, including all four tires, according to the CBP.
In all, 67 packages were found, totaling 197 pounds and worth about $90,000 on the street.
Vehicle and drugs were seized by CBP. The suspect is facing criminal charges, the CBP said.
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