Stolen Vehicle & Narcotics Recovered at the Highway 86 Checkpoint

SALTON CITY, Calif.-El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three United States citizens found in possession of a stolen vehicle and narcotics, attempting to drive through an immigration checkpoint Thursday morning.

At approximately 5:15 a.m., a red 2014 Nissan Xterra approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in the primary lanes referred the vehicle to secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the rear of the vehicle. Agents inspected the interior of the vehicle and discovered a plastic bag containing a small amount of marijuana inside of a backpack.  Agents also discovered a small amount of a white crystal-like substance on person of one of the vehicle’s occupants attempting to be concealed in their pants pocket. The white crystal-like substance tested positive for methamphetamine. A record check of the vehicle came back to a positive match to a stolen vehicle reported out of Palm Springs, California.

The 37-year-old driver, and the other two occupants were found in possession of a stolen vehicle, 12.9 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $478.20 and 12.6 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $377.10.

All occupants, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the California Highway Patrol.

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