Warning issued to people who use SENTRI lanes at San Ysidro Port of Entry

SAN DIEGO ( Border Report ) — Due to a rise in “blind mule” cases at the border, the Tijuana Police Department warns drivers to inspect their cars before crossing into San Diego.

The term “blind mule” refers to someone who unknowingly carries drugs or unauthorized migrants through a port of entry.

Fernando Sánchez González, head of Tijuana’s secretary of public safety, says those who use SENTRI lanes are most at risk.

“There’s no particular area where most of the incidents are happening, it’s all over the city,” he said. “People should check under their cars to see if something has been attached or hidden underneath.”

He is also asking citizens who may come across suspicious packages or items to immediately call 911.

“Let us know, we’ll go out there and check to see if narcotics are involved, if so, we’ll turn it over to prosecutors — we don’t want anyone having a problem as they try to cross the border into the United States while unknowingly carrying drugs or other contraband,” Sánchez González said.

Sánchez González told reporters about a case just a few days ago involving a man who found several packages that had been taped under his car.

He said officers responded and inspected a Toyota Tacoma and spoke with the driver who was from Phoenix, Arizona.

The three packages found contained almost four kilos of crystal meth.

Officers also found a GPS tracking device attached to the car.

Border Report contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection to see if CBP officers have noticed an increase in blind mule cases, but the agency has yet to respond.

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