SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen in possession of a of loaded firearm and drug contraband at an immigration checkpoint Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m., when a dark gray 2005 Ford Taurus approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in the lanes referred to secondary inspection further investigation.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the rear seat of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the interior of the vehicle, agents isolated the alert to a backpack in the rear seat of the vehicle. Agents searched the backpack and discovered multiple identification cards with the driver’s name, a glass pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana, and a black 9mm handgun with no serial number, loaded with a magazine containing six rounds and an additional five rounds of .223 ammunition. During an interview with agents, the driver claimed ownership to the backpack but not the weapon.
The driver, a 41-year-old man, the firearm, and contraband were turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office.
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.