IMPERIAL, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrest a street gang member, a suspected narcotics smuggler, and seized more than two pounds of methamphetamine over the weekend.
The first incident occurred on Saturday, at approximately 7:00 a.m., when El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico station apprehended a known street gang member attempting to make an illegal entry into the United States.
Border Patrol agents arrested the 27-year-old Mexican national as he entered the United States illegally from Mexico, approximately one mile west of the downtown Calexico port of entry.
The man, later identified as Cesar Lopez-Gutierrez, was transported to the Calexico Border Patrol station where it was revealed he was a member of the “Drifters” criminal street gang. Agents also discovered that Lopez has an extensive criminal record, including aggravated felonies and a history of immigration violations.
The gang member was ordered removed by an Immigration Judge in September, 2014.
The man is in Border Patrol custody and will be criminally prosecuted for re-entry into the United States after being ordered removed.
El Centro Sector agents from Highway 86 checkpoint seize more than two pounds of methamphetamine strapped to a man’s upper legs, with estimated street value of $22,000
The second incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 8:30 a.m., When El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station referred a commercial passenger bus to the secondary area of inspection of the Highway 86 checkpoint near Salton City.
Upon further investigation Border Patrol agents discovered two packages of methamphetamine tapped to the thigh area of a 25-year-old Mexican national male passenger.
The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 2.2 pounds with an estimated street value of about $22,000.
The man and the narcotics were turned over to the custody of Drug Enforcement Administration agents for further investigation.