Border Patrol Seizes Dangerous Drugs
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents at the Indio station seized heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine this weekend at the Highway 86 Checkpoint located between Westmorland and Salton City.
In two other separate incidents, agents seized large amounts of cocaine and money.
At the checkpoint on Friday afternoon a Border Patrol canine team alerted agents to a 2003 Honda Accord.
A further inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of several packages of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine located inside a hidden compartment. The drugs had a combined weight of approximately 13 pounds and have an estimated street value of more than $445,000.
The driver, a 19-year-old United States Citizen male, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Imperial County Narcotics Task Force.
The second incident also happened at the checkpoint on Saturday night when the canine team alerted to a 2009 Nissan Altima. Agents found seven packages of cocaine, weighing about 17 pounds and are worth more than $570,000. The driver, a 30-year-old man from the United States, the vehicle and the drugs, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The third case also happened Saturday night. Border Patrol Agents pulled over a Chevrolet Tahoe on Interstate 10 near Desert Center.
Agents searched the SUV and discovered $18,000 in a paper bag in the center console. They also found a small amount of marijuana. The drugs and currency were seized pending further investigation.
