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  4. U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine at Checkpoint

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine at Checkpoint

Release Date
Thu, 01/26/2012

WESTMORLAND, CALIF.—Today, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station arrested a suspected drug smuggler with more than nine pounds of cocaine worth more than $300,000.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m., at the Highway 86 Checkpoint near Westmorland. A Border Patrol Canine Team alerted to a white Freightliner truck. Agents then utilized a large-scale imaging system and discovered a non-factory installed compartment in the truck. Concealed within the compartment were two packages of cocaine. During a pat-down of the smuggler, two additional packages of cocaine were discovered duct taped to the smuggler's body.

The suspect, a 34-year-old Mexican national, was placed under arrest and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the truck and narcotics.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021