Border Patrol seizes $301K in narcotics, cash
U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Wellton Station Interstate 8 and Blythe Station Highway 78 immigration checkpoints seized more than 47 pounds combined of hard narcotics in two separate smuggling incidents Thursday.
According to information provided by agent Jose J. Garibay III of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office, the first foiled incident happened at approximately 11:30 a.m., when Wellton Station agents working at the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint referred a shuttle van to the secondary inspection area for an immigration check of its passengers.
During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine positively alerted to a seat occupied by a 44-year-old male U.S. citizen. A subsequent search of his luggage yielded a 2.2-pound package of heroin valued at $38,448.
In the second incident, which happened at approximately 6:35 p.m., Blythe Station agents working at the Highway 78 immigration checkpoint sent a red 2002 Ford Explorer to the secondary inspection area. This happened after a Border Patrol canine was positively alerted to an odor.
A subsequent search of the vehicle discovered an aftermarket body compartment near the gas tank. The compartment was filled with 30 bundles of 35.3 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.3 pounds of cocaine and 5 pounds of heroin.
The driver, a 26-year-old female U.S. citizen from Imperial, Calif., was also found with $8,840 in her purse and was arrested. The narcotics have a combined worth of $254,144.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.