Tecate municipal employee arrested with 70kg of methamphetamine

Nancy Beatriz Ortega Olazagasti, a municipal employee of Tecate, Baja California, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while attempting to cross the border at the Tecate port of entry.

Authorities discovered approximately 69.9 kilograms (153 pounds) of methamphetamine hidden in a non-original compartment located beneath the floor of the driver and passenger seats of her 2020 Nissan Rogue. The drugs were found in 30 separate packages after X-ray scans and canine units alerted officers to anomalies in the vehicle.

Ortega Olazagasti, who served as an inspector and notifier for the Tecate Department of Civic Justice, denied any knowledge of the narcotics, claiming she was traveling to a Home Depot to purchase materials for home renovations. The Ayuntamiento de Tecate announced that she was removed from her position on September 2, distancing the administration from her actions. She faces charges related to the importation of controlled substances in the Southern District of California.