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Border Patrol Stops Heroin Smuggling Attempt at Checkpoint

Release Date
Tue, 12/23/2014

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a suspected drug smuggler with 1.51 pounds of heroin strapped to his body.

El Centro Sector agents at the Highway 86 checkpoint seize more than 1.5 pounds of heroin strapped to a man’s torso.

El Centro Sector agents at the Highway 86 checkpoint seize more than 1.5 pounds of heroin strapped to a man’s torso.

Monday, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Border Patrol agents encountered a bus at the Highway 86 checkpoint and referred it to the secondary inspection area for an immigration check. 

Agents encountered a 23-year-old male U.S. citizen riding on the bus who was traveling alone. Through questioning, agents discovered that the man was carrying a package of heroin strapped to his torso area.

The heroin had a weight of 1.51 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $18,000.

The man and seized drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021