SALTON CITY, Calif. – Yesterday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested two suspected narcotics smugglers and seized more than 31 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a center console aftermarket compartment in vehicle.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a 43-year-old female driver, her 46-year-old male passenger, and their two minor children in a white Ford 500 sedan as they approached the Highway 86 checkpoint located between Westmorland and Salton City.
The vehicle and passengers were referred to secondary for further inspection. During the secondary inspection a Canine Detection team alerted to the vehicle’s undercarriage. Upon an interior inspection of the vehicle, the canine alerted for a second time to the center console. Agents conducted an inspection of the center console and revealed an aftermarket compartment containing 26 plastic wrapped bundles of methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 31.73 pounds with an estimated street value of $206,245.
The suspected smugglers, both legally admitted Mexican citizens, were taken into custody. The family, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
On Sunday, Agents seized over $650,000 worth of black tar heroin and meth concealed within all four tires of a tan 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.