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  4. U.S. Border Patrol Agents "Spoil" Narcotic Smuggling Attempt within Watermelon Cargo on Highway 86

U.S. Border Patrol Agents "Spoil" Narcotic Smuggling Attempt within Watermelon Cargo on Highway 86

Release Date
Mon, 08/23/2010

Indio, Calif. - Early this morning, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station interdicted a marijuana smuggling attempt with an estimated value of nearly $140,000.

At approximately 12:40 a.m., a tractor-trailer being driven by a Mexican citizen who was determined to be illegally present in the United States approached the primary inspection lane of the Highway 86 checkpoint. A canine team performed a cursory inspection and alerted to the front end of the trailer. The tractor-trailer was then referred to the secondary inspection area. During a subsequent search, agents discovered several cellophane wrapped packages containing marijuana in hidden within the cargo of spoiled watermelons.

The driver, tractor-trailer, and marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021