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  4. El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize Narcotics at Highway 86 Checkpoint

El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize Narcotics at Highway 86 Checkpoint

Release Date
Tue, 01/06/2015

SALTON CITY, Calif. – Monday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a suspected drug smuggler at the Highway 86 checkpoint after discovering an aftermarket compartment inside the intake manifold containing narcotics.

The incident occurred at approximately 1p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a 29-year-old male driver of a silver 2001 Mercedes Benz at the checkpoint.

A Border Patrol Canine Detection team alerted to the vehicle.  Upon further investigation, agents discovered an aftermarket compartment inside the intake manifold containing packages of heroin and methamphetamine.

The heroin had a combined weight of 6.41 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $76,500 and the methamphetamine had a combined weight of 14.31 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $143,000.

The man, a United States citizen, the 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