Salton City, Calif. - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station apprehended a suspected narcotics smuggler at the Highway 86 checkpoint and seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
The incident occurred on December 7 at approximately 9:00 a.m. when a male, 22-year-old driver approached the Border Patrol checkpoint located between Westmorland and Salton City. A canine team alerted to the vehicle, a 1998 Dodge Caravan, and was subsequently referred to secondary inspection for further investigation. Upon further investigation, agents discovered six packages of methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle.
The methamphetamine had a combined weight of approximately 10 pounds and an estimated street value of more than $340,000. The man, a citizen of Mexico with a B1/B2 visa, was arrested as the sole suspect in the case. The suspect, vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
The El Centro Sector's Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at (800) 901-2003.
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.