SALTON SEA, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents stopped three narcotics smuggling attempts in three separate events on Friday.
The first incident occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m., when a man driving a red Ford Windstar 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.
seized three smuggling attempts Oct. 3.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered three packages hidden inside the engine compartment. The white crystal like substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine when tested with a narcotics test kit. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 16.8 pounds with an estimated value of $37,800.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 67-year-old Legal Permanent Resident from Mexico, the vehicle and the narcotics to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
of illegal narcotics were seized by border
patrol agents Oct. 3.
The second incident occurred at approximately 11:55 a.m., when a man driving a white Chevrolet Cruz 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.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered five packages hidden inside the center console. The pills found inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl when tested with a narcotics test kit. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the fentanyl was approximately .709 kilograms with an estimated value of $17,500.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 27-year-old U.S. Citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics to the DEA.
The third incident occurred at approximately 5:08 p.m., when a man driving a burgundy Nissan Altima 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.
prevented illegal narcotics from
entering U.S. streets.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered 50 packages concealed behind the dashboard of the vehicle. The substance found inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine when tested with a narcotics test kit. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 29.76 pounds with an estimated value of $66,960.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 31-year-old U.S. Citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics to the DEA.