Suspected drug smugglers arrested
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested two men suspected of smuggling narcotics in two separate events Tuesday, a Customs and Border Protection news release stated.
The first incident occurred about 1: 55 p. m. when a man and his male passenger approached the checkpoint in a black Volkswagen Cabrio.
After a K- 9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane, agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
There, agents reportedly discovered a package concealed within the passenger’s backpack.
The package allegedly contained pills that tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl.
The total weight of the fentanyl was approximately 1.84 pounds, with an estimated street value of $22,000.
The passenger was placed under arrest and was taken to the detention area for further processing.
The suspect was a 60- year- old U. S. citizen. He, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The second incident occurred about 7:30 p.m., when a man driving a white Nissan Altima approached the checkpoint.
A K- 9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane, and agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area, where they discovered a small package concealed in the groin area of the driver.
The contents inside the package tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. The driver was placed under arrest and was taken to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 1.10 pounds, with an estimated street value of $ 2,475.
The suspect was a 38- year- old U. S. citizen. He, the vehicle and the meth were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.