SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen accused of smuggling methamphetamine through an immigration checkpoint Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m., when a blue 2005 Ford Escape approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent checking vehicles in the lanes referred the vehicle aside for further investigation.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of these areas, agents discovered a hidden compartment in the floorboard of the vehicle concealing 41 packages of a white crystal-like substance wrapped in cellophane. The contents inside the packages tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver, a 55-year-old male, was caught with 78.41 pounds of methamphetamine, with an estimated value of $215,627.00.
The individual, vehicle, and narcotics were later turned over to the 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.