Pine Valley, Calif.—U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S. citizen at the Interstate 8 checkpoint yesterday after a canine team uncovered two concealed weapons inside his vehicle.
At approximately 10 p.m., a 30-year-old male and his 19-year-old male passenger arrived at the Pine Valley checkpoint in a 1996 Dodge Neon. A canine alerted to the vehicle in the pre-primary inspection area and the vehicle was referred for a secondary inspection.
Agents in the secondary inspection area asked the driver and passenger to exit the vehicle and wait while they inspected the car.
Agents searched and found two 9mm semi-automatic handguns, one under the steering column and one under the floorboard. Both handguns had the serial numbers scratched off.
The driver was arrested for handgun smuggling and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. He faces Federal charges. The passenger and vehicle were released.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.