Border Patrol stops semi truck hauling 1.5 tons of marijuana
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents stopped a semi truck at the Highway 86 checkpoint early Friday morning and discovered 1.5 tons of marijuana being transported. This all happened at 12:15 a.m.
A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to the truck and a secondary inspection was issued, according to a release.
After an extensive search, agents said they found several pallets loaded with 38 cardboard boxes containing 150 packages of marijuana wrapped in cellophane.
“This was a fairly large seizure and our agents did an outstanding job of interdicting it,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “Criminal networks should be afraid to conduct their activities at our border or at our checkpoints. In addition to our tried and true methods of interdiction, we continue to strengthen our ability to dismantle criminal enterprises.”
Agents said the 150 bundles in the semi truck weighed a total of 3,575 pounds and estimate that it’s worth $1,716,000 on the street.
The man is a Mexican national. He was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency as the investigation moves forward.
In fiscal year 2017, agents said El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 5,354 pounds of marijuana.
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