San Ysidro
Agents at the San Ysidro border inspection station discovered 22.5 pounds of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment of a car Saturday afternoon and arrested the driver, Henry S. Bess, 46, who gave a New York City address.
U.S. Customs Supervisor Manuel Garzon said the drug cache was discovered after an Immigration and Naturalization Service officer manning the border checkpoint became suspicious and sent Bess’ car to a secondary inspection area, where customs agents aided by drug-sniffing dogs found the cocaine. The cocaine was hidden between the trunk and gas tank, he said.
Bess was turned over to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and was taken to the Metropolitan Correctional Complex in downtown San Diego. The car, which was not registered to Bess but had not been reported stolen, was impounded.
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