SALTON CITY, Calif.–Friday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested two men suspected of smuggling drugs at the Highway 86 checkpoint after agents discovered more than $1,000,000 worth of cocaine concealed in a commercial truck they were driving.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrest two men attempting to smuggle cocaine in truck.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered the men as it approached the checkpoint in a Ford commercial utility truck.
A Border Patrol Canine Detection team alerted to the truck and agents referred the driver to secondary for further investigation. Upon further inspection, agents discovered thirty-three packages of cocaine concealed in a non-factory compartment located behind the cab of the truck.
79 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,027,000 was found in hidden compartment of truck.
The cocaine had a combined weight of approximately 79 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,027,000.
The men, both Mexican citizens, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further processing.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.