Calexico
U.S. Customs Service inspectors on Thursday found 628 pounds of marijuana stuffed under the seats and in the trunk of a car waiting to pass through the Calexico Port of Entry.
The driver of the car was waiting in line about 8:55 a.m. to enter the crossing’s primary gate, but, before reaching it, he got out and ran back toward Mexico, officials said.
Inspectors were unable to catch the man, who left the keys in the ignition, said Bobbie Cassidy, a Customs Service spokeswoman.
Officials found more than 200 plastic-wrapped marijuana packages when they searched the car, Cassidy said.
“We don’t know why he ran. Maybe he got spooked, maybe he got cold feet,” said Allan J. Rappoport, district director for the agency. “We were able to stop (the marijuana) from coming in and we have the car, so he’s not out of the woods yet.”
Since the federal fiscal year began Oct. 1, agents have seized 3,236 pounds of marijuana at Calexico, Rappoport said. By comparison, from October, 1988, through February, 1989, agents seized 1,145 pounds of marijuana there.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
