Winterhaven, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Andrade port of entry Thursday arrested a man after discovering more than 500 pounds of marijuana concealed in an auxiliary fuel tank located in the bed of the pickup he was driving.

The incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, when a CBP officer encountered a 42-year-old U.S. citizen after he arrived at the port driving a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup.  The officer referred the man and his vehicle for a more in-depth inspection.

During an intensive search, a CBP narcotics detector dog alerted to the vehicle’s auxiliary tank, leading officers to the discovery of 18 wrapped bundles concealed inside.  The bundles were removed from the tank and field-tested positive as marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $228,000.

The driver, a resident of Ciudad Morelos, Baja California, was arrested and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing.  He was later transported to the Imperial County Jail to await arraignment.

CBP seized the vehicle and the marijuana.