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  4. Border Patrol Finds Drugs in Vehicle’s Floor

Border Patrol Finds Drugs in Vehicle’s Floor

Release Date
Mon, 02/06/2017

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint, arrested a man suspected of smuggling cocaine on Friday afternoon.

Agents pulled 24 packages of cocaine from car.
More than 50 lbs. of cocaine was
hidden inside this car's floor.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., after a 21-year-old man and his three minor step-children, respectively 10, 7, and 6, approached the checkpoint in a black 2010 Toyota Camry.

During primary inspection, a Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle. Agents referred the man to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination.

After a more thorough inspection of the vehicle, agents discovered hidden compartments in the floor of the vehicle.  The compartments contained 24 plastic wrapped packages containing cocaine.

The combined weight of the packages amounted to 56.54 pounds with an estimated street value of $678,480.

“Drug smuggling organizations will go to no ends to affirm their criminal intent,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent. “I commend our agents for the hard work and dedication to keep our communities safe.”

The man, a United States citizen, the vehicle, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.  The minors were taken into protective custody by the Imperial County Child Protective Services.

Since fiscal year 2017, which started Oct. 1, 2016, El Centro Sector seized more than 321.37 pounds of cocaine.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021