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  4. 2 USC’s Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Close to 83K of Narcotics through the Checkpoint

2 USC’s Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Close to 83K of Narcotics through the Checkpoint

Release Date
Wed, 12/22/2021
K 9 in front of found narcotics during an inspection
K-9 alters Border Patrol Agents
to the presences o​​​​f narcotics. 
Upon further ​​​​​​inspection of the
interior, agents discovered two
bundles wrapped in cellophane
inside of an ice chest. 

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two United States citizens for their attempts to smuggle illegal narcotics through an immigration checkpoint Saturday evening. 

At approximately 7:30 p.m., a black 2006 Mazda 6 station wagon approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in primary lanes referred the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation. 

A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the interior of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the interior, agents discovered two bundles wrapped in cellophane inside of an ice chest, a type of concealment method consistent with narcotic smuggling. The two large bundles contained five separate packages of narcotics in plastic bags. Three of the five bags tested positive for fentanyl and the other two bags tested positive for heroin. Further inspection of the vehicle also revealed marijuana concealed in the roof area of a sunroof compartment and methamphetamine inside the trousers of the passenger.  

The 33-year-old male driver and 39-year-old male passenger were in possession of .68 pounds of fentanyl (approximately 3000 pills) with an estimated street value of $46,410, 4.45 pounds of heroin with an estimated street value of $36,360, 2.01 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $80.40, and 5.5 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $1.23. 

The driver, passenger, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The vehicle will be seized as per El Centro Sector seized guidelines.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. For all news, information, and updates follow us on Twitter @CBPElCentro, @USBPChiefELC and Instagram.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Last Modified: Dec 27, 2021