2 Cocaine Busts at Border Break Seizure Records

Over a recent eight-day period, U.S. Customs seized two of the largest cocaine caches ever at the San Ysidro port of entry, making the amount of cocaine impounded last month more than the total for the entire 1985 fiscal year, customs officials said.

On Tuesday, agents seized 37.5 pounds of cocaine, the second-largest amount after the 66 pounds recovered from a pickup truck on Oct. 21.

The total amount for October, 113 pounds, was 10 times the amount recovered in fiscal 1984. In fiscal 1985, the amount recovered was 104 pounds.

The seizure at the border Tuesday resulted from an inspection of a 1984 Thunderbird driven by Lulu Galindo, 25, of North Hollywood. Inspection officials said Galindo appeared nervous during preliminary questioning and, upon further investigation, cocaine was found in a compartment between the trunk and the gas tank.

Drug officials do not believe the two arrests are related because of the different type of packaging used, said customs spokesman James Brown.

Martha Lucia Gracia, 22, who was being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center after authorities said 66 pounds of cocaine was found in the truck she was driving, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on charges of smuggling and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Galindo is being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center, on suspicion of importation and intent to distribute. Drug officials believe the cocaine was destined for Los Angeles. Galindo could receive a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $200,000 fine.

Richard Slattery, assistant special agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration, said the department is trying to determine who was to receive the drug.