NILAND, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two United States citizens accused of smuggling fentanyl through an immigration checkpoint Monday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:35 a.m., when a silver 2005 Honda Civic approached the Highway 111 checkpoint. The agent checking vehicles in the lanes referred the vehicle aside for further investigation.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the driver’s side window of the vehicle. Agents proceeded to inspect the interior of the vehicle and discovered a clear plastic bag containing approximately 1,000 blue fentanyl pills, hidden behind the air conditioning center vents. The contents inside the plastic bag tested positive for fentanyl.
The driver and passenger, both 33-year-old males, were caught with .437 pounds of fentanyl valued at $6,500.
Further inspection of the passenger revealed that he had an extensive criminal history with an active warrant out of Riverside, California for obstruction. The passenger was detained and taken into the Highway 111 checkpoint for processing. The Imperial County Sherriff’s Office was notified of the warrant and responded to pick up the individual.
The driver, vehicle, and narcotics were 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.