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El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Find Cocaine Stuffed in Engine

Release Date
Mon, 07/14/2014

SALTON CITY, Calif. – On Saturday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a suspected narcotics smuggler with bundles of cocaine hidden within the manifold of the vehicle.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a 54-year-old man driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra at the Highway 86 checkpoint located near Salton City, California. 

Agents referred the driver to secondary inspection area for further investigation.  During the inspection, a canine detection team alerted to the vehicle.  The agents subsequently discovered three bundles of cocaine hidden within the manifold of the vehicle.

The cocaine had a combined weight of 8.13 pounds with an estimated street value of $105,690.

The suspected smuggler, a United States citizen, was taken into custody.  The man, vehicle, and narcotics 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