Loaded Gun & Drug Contraband Seized Over the Weekend

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen in possession of a of loaded firearm and drug contraband at an immigration checkpoint Sunday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m., when a dark gray 2005 Ford Taurus approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in the lanes referred to secondary inspection further investigation.

A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the rear seat of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the interior of the vehicle, agents isolated the alert to a backpack in the rear seat of the vehicle.  Agents searched the backpack and discovered multiple identification cards with the driver’s name, a glass pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana, and a black 9mm handgun with no serial number, loaded with a magazine containing six rounds and an additional five rounds of .223 ammunition. During an interview with agents, the driver claimed ownership to the backpack but not the weapon.

The driver, a 41-year-old man, the firearm, and contraband were turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office.