El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents in Indio, California, have arrested a U.S. citizen on charges of smuggling methamphetamine. The incident occurred Monday morning when a sedan approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint.
At approximately 11:50 a.m., a Border Patrol K-9 team, trained to detect illegal drugs and concealed persons, signaled the presence of narcotics. This prompted further inspection of the vehicle in the secondary area. The K-9 unit's alert led agents to discover an aftermarket compartment within the floorboards containing several wrapped packages suspected to be narcotics. Testing confirmed one package contained methamphetamine.
In total, authorities seized 114.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $96,942 from the vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested for transporting a controlled substance and handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the vehicle and narcotics for prosecution.
“This hefty seizure represents something significant happening here in the Premier Sector and across the Border Patrol, namely that cartel terrorists have an ever more difficult time smuggling drugs,” stated El Centro Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino. “Our checkpoints are open for business and Border Patrol agents know more, much more, than cartel terrorists know.”
For additional information regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities or news releases, visit www.cbp.gov or follow their social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram under USBP El Centro Sector.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's frontline law enforcement organization and serves as the world's first unified border management agency with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting national security through various means including innovation and collaboration.
