Border Series Part 3:

Mexicali port administrator responds to internal corruption allegations Story by Stephanie Sanchez, Reporter

Mexicali, B.C.--Everyday tens of thousands of travelers cross thru the Mexicali port of entry.

Recently the Mexicali port was named as an open door to get the majority of guns, ammo and grenades into Mexico which then falls into the hands of cartel members.

Despite all the obstacles drug and human smugglers face when crossing the U.S. border some still make it across.

Mexico's port of entries like this one in Mexicali are the last line of defense where Mexican federal agents try to cut off the completion of an illegal deal.

Whether its thousands of dollars smuggled to pay a coyote in Mexico or guns sent to arm cartel members.

In September, Spanish media reported that a high ranking member of the Sinaloa drug cartel called the Mexicali port of entry "an open door" for thousands of weapons smuggled south of the border.

Reports said it caused a major shake-up and employee transfers were made left and right, even removing the port's director.

KSWT News 13's spoke with the port's new administrator regarding the allegations.

"No, the 33 transfers were already programmed. This was at a state level. It's not like one person was transferred to another port but there were a total of 33 changes here," Mexicali Port Administrator Frida Garcia said in Spanish.

According to a press release from Mexico's port of entry administration services, changes were made at 49 ports nationally including mexicali.

Garcia denies that any changes were made due to internal corruption.

"No, it's not because of that, like I said, the selections were made since may of this yea," Garcia said.

Garcia said she's skeptical of a suspect being arrested.

She said the suspect's name was never brought to light but they do take any information seriously.

She said when she first arrived, she increased security as her first task.

"I did increase certain levels of security, inspections, and contact with the American port as well." Garcia said. "Whether either of us face any threats."

Cars crossing through the port are scanned with Gamma ray technology and pass over an underground weight scale.

Agents question anybody carrying thousands of dollars in cash as it could be a payment making it's way to a smuggler.

Alarms go off if a car exceeds the average weight as it could be carrying illegal merchandise or guns.

"I come from a port in the state of Tamaulipas where security was really strong," Garcia said. "So when I got here, certain levels were increased whenever merchandise or cargo is passes thru the port. I also placed trustworthy people at the port."

Not even 6 months into the job, Garcia was already facing a bomb threat from the Mexico side of the border.

Though the ports remained opened, agents were on high alert.