SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a Legal Permanent Resident citizens attempting to smuggle cocaine through an immigration checkpoint, Monday evening.
At approximately 5:32 p.m., a 1987 Ford F-150 approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in the primary lanes referred the vehicle to secondary inspection.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted agents to an area below the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. An interior inspection of the vehicle resulted in no findings. It was an inspection of the engine compartment where agents discovered two brown and yellow packages underneath the manifold.
The two packages wrapped in cellophane and silver tape contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
The driver was found in possession of 5.3 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $76,368.
The driver, vehicle, and narcotics were detained at the Highway 86 checkpoint for further processing.
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.