A drug-sniffing dog helped U.S. Customs and Border Patrol uncover an alleged cocaine smuggling scheme that involved multiple drivers for a commercial trucking firm.
This dog alerted officers about a potential drug smuggling scheme when they arrived at a facility in Otay Mesa, California, prompting CBP officers to move the drivers to a secondary location to inspect the trucks, according to Border Report.
CBP officers discovered that each of the three drivers involved had crossed the border more than 20 times since January 15, with each driver hauling empty trailers during the trips.
Drug-sniffing dogs inspected the trailers and did not find any indication of drugs. However, the dogs alerted CBP officers about potential contraband located within the cabs of the vehicles, per Border Report.
An inspection by CBP officers revealed more than 170 pounds of cocaine in hidden compartments throughout the cabs of the three vehicles.
The three drivers, identified as Fernando Medina Rodriguez, Gustavo Camacho Medina, and Carlos Cardenas Medina, have been charged with conspiracy and felony importation of a controlled substance, according to Border Report.
These arrests come as U.S. Customs and Border Protection has focused on reducing the amount of illicit drugs being transported through the southern border and the number of illegal aliens allowed through the border.
CBP reported 358,026 encounters along the southwest land border through the first four months of the 2025 fiscal year.
Although some may have concerns about the number of encounters reported by the department, the number has decreased significantly from the 961,502 encounters reported in the first four months of 2024.
This increase in border security prompted Vice President JD Vance to visit the southern border on March 5, taking a trip to Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
This trip was meant to highlight the decrease in illegal crossings due to a variety of factors implemented by the Trump administration, such as the labeling of cartel groups as terrorist organizations and adding additional military resources.