El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents recently seized over 50 pounds of methamphetamine, estimated to have a street value of $94,000, in two separate traffic incidents. The drivers involved, both Mexican nationals, are set to be deported.
"This past weekend, Indio agents seized approximately, -302.7 lbs. of meth -$10,100 (money made from an illegal smuggling event) That is over half a million dollars worth of dangerous drugs prevented from entering our communities", said Gregory K. Bovino, according to X.
The first incident occurred on February 4 when agents pulled over a black sedan traveling westbound on Interstate 10, as per a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) news release. A Border Patrol K-9 Unit was deployed at the scene, leading agents to inspect the vehicle's trunk. They discovered seven packages wrapped in cellophane containing 52.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an anticipated street value exceeding $94,000.
A subsequent field test confirmed that the substance within the packages was indeed methamphetamine, according to another news release. The driver, his vehicle, and the seized narcotics were transferred to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and potential prosecution.
The second incident transpired on February 2 when agents halted a white car moving east on Interstate 10. According to the same news release, upon questioning by the agents, the driver confessed he was in America illegally and admitted that his cash holdings were proceeds from human smuggling operations from Arizona to California. Agents confiscated over $10,100 from this individual who is now expected to be deported back to Mexico.
Data from the CBP website reveals that during the first three months of fiscal year 2024, CBP officials encountered nearly one million people—985,819 individuals—with single adults accounting for more than half of these encounters at 564,641 individuals. In comparison, over 3.2 million people were apprehended in fiscal year 2023; more than 2.7 million were encountered in fiscal year 2022; and approximately 1.9 million individuals were arrested in fiscal year 2021.
