$12 Million Worth Of Cocaine Seized At Border

INDIO – Border Patrol agents seized 385 pounds of cocaine on Wednesday, with an estimated street value of $12 million.

Agents tell News Channel 3 a brown SUV hauling a flatbed trailer was waived for a second inspectionat the Highway 86 checkpoint. There, agents used a high-tech device to scan the vehicle, where they found the cocaine hidden in several places.

Blocks of cocaine were found buried inside a spare tire, audio speaker box, and a tool box affixed to the trailer. In all, 75 blocks were found.

“The use of advanced technology and a canine team greatly enhanced the Border Patrol’s ability to detect an illicit shipment of cocaine,” saidEl Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey A. Calhoon. “That has doubled last fiscal year’s total amount seized by the El Centro Sector. Narcotics seizure of that significant amount will greatly contribute to preventing dangerous drugs from making their way into our communities.”