Man busted smuggling heroin in shoes
A man attempting to smuggle narcotics was arrested by Border Patrol agents on Wednesday night.
Around 10:50 p.m., a 49 year old man driving a Toyota Camry was stopped at the Highway 86 checkpoint located between Westmorland and Salton City.
After questioning the man, agents determined he was a ‘raitero’ (unlicensed taxi driver). He was giving a 20 year old man a ride.
After inspecting the vehicle, agents discovered the passenger was hiding heroin in his shoes. The narcotics were wrapped in duct tape and formed to fit in the soles of his shoes.
They said the drugs weighed 2.04 lbs. and had an estimated street value of $20,400.
Both the passenger and driver were taken into custody. The D.E.A. is investigating the case.
Agents didn’t say where the man was traveling from or where he was planning to go.