U.S. Border Patrol agents Sunday morning arrested a 30-year-old Mexican citizen for attempting to smuggle more than 24 pounds of marijuana on a surfboard while paddling along the Pacific coast in Imperial Beach.

t about 6 a.m., agents spotted an individual on a surfboard approximately 200 yards off-shore paddling north of the international border in Imperial Beach. The surfer was holding a blue duffel bag that he released into the water while he continued to paddle north. Agents directed the surfer to come ashore. He complied by coming close to the shore but refused to exit the water. Agents subsequently had to go in the water to extract the surfer. The surfer admitted to the agents that he was a citizen of Mexico illegally within the United States illegally.

Soon after, the blue duffle bag floated ashore and was inspected by Border Patrol agents. The bag held five packages of marijuana that weighted 24.90 pounds and had an estimated street value of more than $74,700. The suspected smuggler and the marijuana were turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force.

The Border Patrol utilizes a multi-layered enforcement approach to prevent potential threats from entering the interior of the country, while identifying vulnerabilities on the immediate border.

Since October 1, 2008, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 14,000 pounds of marijuana and nearly 1,000 pounds of cocaine in San Diego sector.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 June 2009 )