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  4. Border Patrol Stops Three Meth Smuggling Attempts Over the Weekend

Border Patrol Stops Three Meth Smuggling Attempts Over the Weekend

Release Date
Tue, 09/08/2020

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents seize more than 33 pounds of methamphetamine from three separate events over the weekend.

The first incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 4:45 p.m., when a man driving a white Infinity crossover approached the Highway 86 checkpoint.  A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle while it was in the lane of traffic waiting for inspection.  Agents directed the vehicle aside for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, agents discovered 31 wrapped packages inside the rocker panels and under the floor carpet of the vehicle.  The substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.  Agents arrested the man and escorted him to the processing area.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 32.54 pounds with an estimated value of $73,215. 

The man, a 20-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration agency.

The second incident occurred on Sunday at approximately 6:30 a.m., when an agent assigned to the Calexico Border Patrol station encountered two kettlebell-shaped packages near Dool Avenue and First Street in Downtown Calexico while on patrol.  The agent transported the packages to the Calexico Station for further processing.

At the station, the contents inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine with a weight of 1.16 pounds and an estimated street value of $2,610.

The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration agency.

The third incident occurred on Sunday at approximately 11:32 p.m., when a Calexico Station Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) operator observed a subject running north near First Street and Heffernan Street in Downtown Calexico.  An agent near the area responded and encountered one kettlebell-shaped package.  The package was transported to the Calexico Station for further processing.  The subject left the area before the agent arrived on scene. 

At the station, the contents inside the package tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine with a weight of 1.15 pounds and an estimated street value of $2,587.50.

The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration agency.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021