Agents stop two drug-smuggling attempts
El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents stopped two drug-smuggling attempts at different checkpoints Tuesday.
The first incident occurred about 2 p.m., when a 28-year-old man driving a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser approached the Highway 111 checkpoint.
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.
During their inspection, agents discovered four packages in the vehicle’s oil pan. The contents of the packages tested positive for fentanyl. Agents arrested the driver, a U.S. citizen, and held him for further processing.
The total weight of the fentanyl was 5.27 pounds with an estimated value of $59,750.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, the vehicle and the narcotics to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The second incident occurred about 9:49 p.m., when a 36-year-old woman driving a red Kia Rio along with her two male passengers approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. A K-9 team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane, and agents directed the vehicle to secondary.
During their inspection, agents discovered three packages of suspected drugs inside a red handbag behind the driver’s seat. The package contents tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.
Agents also discovered a Derringer
.38 Special handgun inside a black backpack located on the front passenger seat. Agents arrested the driver and her passengers and held them for further processing.
The methamphetamine weighed approximately 2.49 pounds, with an estimated value of $5,602.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver and passengers, all of whom are U.S. citizens, as well as the vehicle and meth, to Imperial County Sherriff’s Department.