CBP Seizes $20M Cocaine Hidden in Truck at Calexico

CBP officers seized more than $20 million worth of cocaine hidden beneath a truck trailer at California’s Calexico Port of Entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine hidden beneath the floor of a commercial trailer at the Calexico East Port of Entry in California on August 4, 2026.

The shipment was discovered when a tractor-trailer carrying 269 bundles of rebar arrived at the border crossing from Mexico. During an initial inspection, CBP officers referred the vehicle for further examination using non-intrusive imaging technology.

The X-ray scan revealed irregularities beneath the trailer floor, leading officers to conduct a more detailed inspection. They later discovered a concealed compartment containing 1,002 pounds (approximately 455 kilograms) of cocaine hidden underneath the trailer floor.

Authorities estimated the seized narcotics had a street value of around $20 million.

The cocaine was seized by CBP, while the investigation into the attempted smuggling operation remains ongoing. Officials have not released further details about potential suspects connected to the shipment.

The seizure highlights the continued use of commercial freight vehicles to conceal large quantities of illegal drugs during cross-border smuggling attempts. Federal authorities continue to rely on advanced inspection technology, including X-ray systems, to identify hidden compartments and suspicious cargo at ports of entry.

Large-scale narcotics seizures involving commercial vehicles remain a recurring challenge for U.S. border agencies, as trafficking organizations attempt to move drugs through legitimate supply chains while avoiding detection.

Source: TruckNews