Border patrol agents seize nearly 100 lbs of meth
SALTON CITY, CA (FOX 11) - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station arrested four individuals suspected of drug smuggling, on two separate events over the weekend, after agents discovered packages of methamphetamine hidden in their vehicles.
The first incident occurred Saturday at approximately 12:40 p.m., when a 22-year-old woman approached Border Patrol agents working the Highway 86 checkpoint driving a 2010 Ford Fusion accompanied by a 25-year-old man.
A Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary inspection. Agents referred the woman to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination. After an intensive search, agents discovered 39 bundles of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle's rocker panels. The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 42.9 pounds with an estimated street value of $171,600.
The second incident occurred on Sunday, at approximately 3 p.m., after Border Patrol agents pulled over a 2005 Honda Odyssey along the Interstate 10 westbound lanes driven by 31-year-old woman and her 25-year-old male passenger. A Border Patrol detection canine team conducted a sniff of the vehicle that produced a positive alert.
Agents examined the vehicle and discovered an aftermarket compartment in the floor board that appeared to contain bundles of narcotics. The vehicle was taken back to the Indio Border Patrol Station for further inspection.
Agents accessed the compartment and removed 35 bundles of methamphetamine. The methamphetamine weighed 55.68 pounds with a total street value of $222,720.
"These seizures are an example of the great work of El Centro Sector," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. "Our community is a safer place because of the great work these brave men and women carry out daily."
The four suspects, all United States citizens, the vehicles, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
From Oct. 1, 2015 through Jul. 31, 2016, El Centro Sector had 15,386 apprehensions and seized more than 1,198 pounds of methamphetamine.
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