Border Patrol arrests teen who taped heroin to thighs

Over 2 lbs. of heroin was seized by Border Patrol agents Friday morning after a K9 sniffed out the narcotics on an Americano Bus traveling on Highway 86 from Calexico.

But the narcotics weren’t hidden in luggage or stashed in an overhead compartment; they were taped to the thighs of a 19-year-old passenger.

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m.

According to a release, agents were inspecting the bus and questioning passengers when they removed the 19-year-old. While outside, the Canine Detection Team alerted agents to the man’s thigh area.

Authorities discovered two medium-sized packages strapped around each one of the man’s thighs with black electrical tape.

The packages were filled with heroin, weighing 2.66 lbs. Agents estimate the drugs cost about $26,600.

The man, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency. The D.E.A. also seized the heroin as it continues to investigate the smuggling attempt.