Border Patrol seizes narcotics in 3 separate busts

The Drug Enforcement Agency has taken custody of three men who were busted by Border Patrol agents in three separate incidents on Saturday. El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized narcotics from the three suspects at the Highway 86 checkpoint.

Officials said the first incident happened around 12:20 a.m. when they encountered a 39-year-old Mexican man driving a Toyota Highlander. A K9 team alerted agents to the SUV and they found 30 packages of methamphetamine combined with a small amount of heroin hidden in the gas tank.

Agents said the methamphetamine weighed 38.6 lbs. and the heroin weighed .135 lbs. The combined estimated street value of the drugs is $349,000.

The second bust involved a 30-year-old man from the United States who was stopped at the checkpoint at 8 a.m. while driving a Mazda Protg. Agents found 19 packages of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine hidden in the front and rear bumpers of the car.

Agents said the 10 bundles of heroin weighed 15.73 lbs., the seven bundles of methamphetamine weighed 10.21 lbs., and the two bundles of cocaine weighed 5.39 lbs. The drugs were estimated to be worth $420,790 on the street.

The third, Saturday Border Patrol bust happened around 12:30 p.m. when a 51-year-old Mexican citizen with a valid permanent resident card was found with 4.9 lbs. of heroin hidden in the engine oil pan of a Chevrolet Malibu.

The cost of the heroin was estimated at $58,800.

Patrol Agent in Charge Scott D. Garrett of the Indio Station said, “These seizures and arrests show the great determination and vigilance of Border Patrol agents performing their duties in an outstanding manner. Always serving, always protecting and always on duty, Border Patrol agents will continue to keep drugs and criminals out of our communities.”

The D.E.A. took custody of the three men, the narcotics and the three vehicles.