SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested two men suspected of smuggling narcotics on two separate events on Tuesday.
The first incident occurred at approximately 1:55 p.m., when a man driving a black Volkswagen Cabrio along with a male passenger approached the checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered a package concealed within a backpack that belonged to the passenger. The package contained narcotic pills. The pills tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl. The passenger was placed under arrest and was taken to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the fentanyl pills discovered was approximately 1.84 pounds with an estimated street value of $22,000.
The man, a 60-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The second incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m., when a man driving a white Nissan Altima approached the checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered a small package concealed in the groin area of the driver. The contents inside the package tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. The driver was placed under arrest and was taken to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 1.10 pounds with an estimated street value of $2,475.
The man, a 38-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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