Drugs come north, money goes south - lots of both at border crossings

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

This just in from the war on drugs: narcotics flowing north from Mexico, U.S. currency flowing south. Lots of both.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers this week reported that in a recent three-day period arrests were made in 19 smuggling attempts at six land ports involving cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The drugs were hidden in various spots in vehicles: bumpers, quarter panels, tires and gas tanks. Street value of the drugs was estimated at more than $3 million.

Along with the drug seizures, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 2007 Dodge Caliber was stopped at San Ysidro while attempting to enter Mexico.

In the gas tank were found eight vacuum-sealed packages containing more than $383,561 in unreported U.S. currency, officials said. It is illegal to enter or leave the U.S. with more than $10,000 in undisclosed currency.

The driver was arrested, and the Dodge and the cash were seized.

ALSO:

Jenni Rivera crash probe could take a year to complete

Man lying on road is struck and killed in San Gabriel Valley

Stranded hikers rescued by helicopter in eastern San Diego County

--Tony Perry in San Diego