Two Yuma residents arrested in drug smuggling attempts

Two Yuma residents were arrested over the weekend in separate incidents as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Imperial Valley ports of entry stopped more than $1 million worth of methamphetamines from entering the country.

In one of the seizures, which occurred at about 3 p.m. Saturday at the Andrade port of entry, a CBP officer conducting inspections referred a 25-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a silver 1999 Isuzu Rodeo for further examination.

During the inspection, a canine team alerted to the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, CBP officers found 26 wrapped packages of methamphetamine concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the gas tank.

The narcotics weighed 41 pounds and had an estimated street value of approximately $615,000.

CBP officers arrested the driver for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt, who was a permanent resident of the United States and resided in Yuma.

The next seizure occurred at about 8:30 p.m. at the Andrade port of entry, when CBP officers conducting inspections selected a blue 2005 Chevy Malibu for further examination.

Again it was a canine team that alerted to the vehicle that lead to the discovery of 12 wrapped packages of methamphetamines concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the vehicle's trunk area. The drugs weighed 13 pounds and had an estimated street value of approximately $195,000.

The driver, a 36-year-old male U.S. citizen and Yuma resident, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.

Both of the Yuma residents were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. They were later transported to the Imperial County Jail where they currently await arraignment.

CBP seized the narcotics and vehicles.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.