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  4. Agents Stop Meth Smuggling Attempt at Checkpoint

Agents Stop Meth Smuggling Attempt at Checkpoint

Release Date
Fri, 12/11/2020

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents stopped a narcotics smuggling attempt Thursday evening.

Meth
El Centro Border Patrol agents seized
meth from the Highway 86 checkpoint
Thursday.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m., when a 42-year-old man driving a tan Toyota Camry along with two male passengers approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During their inspection, agents discovered two small plastic wrapped packages of suspected narcotics on the driver’s seat and three hidden underneath it. The contents inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. Agents arrested the driver and passengers and held them for further processing. 

The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately .84 pounds with an estimated value of $1,890.

El Centro Sector turned over the driver and passengers, all adult United States citizens, the vehicle and the narcotics to Imperial County Sherriff’s’ Office.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021