Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. K-9 Alert Leads to Nearly 60lbs of Cocaine

K-9 Alert Leads to Nearly 60lbs of Cocaine

Release Date
Tue, 06/15/2021

Drugs hidden in secret compartment valued at over $948K.

Cocaine packages
Nearly 60 pounds of cocaine was hidden
in an SUV's secret compartment.

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a woman attempting to smuggle nearly 60 pounds of cocaine valued at over $948,000 Monday afternoon.

The arrest occurred at a vehicle stop near the Highway 86 Checkpoint at about 2 p.m.

A 26-year-old female U.S. citizen was traveling northbound on Highway 86 in a silver 2018 Buick Encore SUV when USBP agents conducted the vehicle stop and requested a Border Patrol K-9 team to assist.

USBP K9 alerts to drug-laden vehicle
A USBP K-9 alerted to this drug-laden SUV.

During their examination, the K-9 alerted to the rear of the SUV. Agents conducted a search of the vehicle’s trunk and discovered a non-factory compartment in the vehicle’s undercarriage. Upon further inspection, agents uncovered 25 packages containing a white powdery substance wrapped in packaging tape.

The contents inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of cocaine. The total weight of the cocaine was about 59.73 pounds and has an estimated value of $948,257.52.

El Centro Sector arrested the woman and turned her, the vehicle, and the narcotics to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

 

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: Sep 22, 2023