SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a woman attempting to smuggle methamphetamine through an immigration checkpoint Thursday evening.
The woman, 26, is a legal permanent resident from the Philippines and was smuggling about 108.7 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated value of $298,883.
The incident occurred at about 6:55 p.m., when a silver 2019 Toyota C-HR SUV approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. The agent in primary inspection referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
During secondary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the interior of the vehicle. Agents conducted a search of the cabin and discovered two duffle bags inside. Agents searched the two duffle bags and discovered 100 packages containing a white crystal-like substance.
The contents inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. Agents arrested the driver and held her for further processing.
El Centro Sector turned over the woman, the narcotics and her vehicle to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
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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.