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  4. El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Discover Methamphetamine in Minivan at Highway 86 Checkpoint

El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Discover Methamphetamine in Minivan at Highway 86 Checkpoint

Release Date
Thu, 09/18/2014

SALTON CITY, Calif. – Thursday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a pair of suspected drug smugglers after discovering packages of methamphetamine hidden inside a luggage bag stored in a minivan.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a male driver and female passenger in a white 2006 Toyota Sienna at the Highway 86 checkpoint located near Salton City. 

Agents referred the driver to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.  During the inspection, a canine detection team alerted to the vehicle.  The agents subsequently discovered packages of methamphetamine hidden inside a bag of luggage located inside the vehicle.El Centro Sector agents from the Highway 86 checkpoint seized more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside a bag of luggage located in the vehicle, with an estimated street value of $35,000.

The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 5.4 pounds with an estimated street value of about $35,000.

The man, a U.S. citizen, and the woman, a lawfully present Mexican citizen, were turned over to the custody of Drug Enforcement Administration agents for further investigation.

The vehicle and narcotics were seized.

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