BP seizes heroin taped to woman

On Friday morning, El Centro Sector Border Patrol (BP) agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a narcotics smuggler and seized more than three pounds of heroin concealed on her body, stated a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.

The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. when a Greyhound bus pulled into the primary inspection area of the Highway 86 checkpoint.

The inspecting agent referred the bus to secondary for further inspection. During the secondary inspection, an agent identified a woman who appeared to be carrying something around her midsection.

Upon further investigation, the woman admitted that she had an illegal substances taped to her stomach.

The woman was transporting a vacuum sealed package of heroin with a final weight of 3.48 pounds, which had an estimated value of $38,280, stated the press release.

The woman, a 20-yearold United States citizen, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

According to county Sheriff’s Office arrest records, a 20-year-old woman was arrested at the Hwy 86 checkpoint Friday morning.

Adriana Zavala was taken into custody by BP agents and booked into county jail for allegedly possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute, stated the arrest records.

Zavala was held on no bond for the alleged felony offense, the arrest records stated.