CALEXICO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents discovered a discarded backpack containing methamphetamine after attempting to apprehend a man who made an illegal entry near downtown Calexico early Monday.
At approximately 2:12 a.m., a Border Patrol Agent assigned near the downtown area of Calexico saw a man make an illegal entry into the United States by climbing over the international boundary fence. The agent also observed that the man was wearing a backpack. Agents attempted to apprehend the man, but soon lost sight of him. As the agents searched for the man near an apartment complex, they found the backpack that the man had carried across the border.
The agents opened the backpack and discovered eight cellophane-wrapped packages. The packages were transported to the station and were later determined to contain methamphetamine. The methamphetamine weighed 8.124 pounds, with an estimated street value of $32,496.
“This seizure is significant in our ongoing effort to stop narcotic smuggling attempts at the hands of criminal organizations,” said Patrol Agent in Charge, Carlos E. Briones of the Calexico Station. “It also demonstrates the diligence of our agents in keeping the community safe from these harmful drugs.”
No arrest was made and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
From the beginning of fiscal year 2017 (FY17), which started on Oct. 1, 2016, El Centro Sector has seized more than 72 pounds of methamphetamine.