Border officials arrest mother with kids, drug cache in van

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Authorities say a woman driving a minivan with her five children aboard was arrested when officers found 231 pounds of hidden illegal drugs as she tried to enter the U.S. from Mexico at a San Diego border crossing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection tells The San Diego Union-Tribune the 34-year-old woman was stopped early Monday morning at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

An officer sent the Honda Odyssey minivan through an imaging system that detected anomalies in the spare tire well, quarter panels, doors and gas tank.

Customs and Border Protection says officers removed 206 wrapped packages containing methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin valued at more than $1 million dollars.

The woman’s name was not immediately released. The children were turned over to a family member.

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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune, http://www.utsandiego.com