Multiple drug smuggling attempts stopped
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents stopped multiple drug-smuggling attempts within a period of 24 hours, a Customs and Border Protection news release stated.
The first incident occurred about 11:01 p.m. Monday, when a man driving a 2004 black Ford Ranger approached the Highway 86 checkpoint near Salton City.
A canine detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane, and agents directed the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation.
During inspection, agents discovered several plastic-wrapped packages hidden inside a gym bag.
The package contents reportedly tested positive for characteristics of methamphetamine and heroin.
The total weight of the meth was approximately 4.6 pounds, with an estimated value of $10,350.
The total weight of the heroin was 77.5 grams, with an estimated value of $4,050.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 53-year-old U.S. citizen; the drugs and the vehicle to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The second incident occurred about 6:40 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of G. Anaya and Second Street in Calexico.
Remote video surveillance operators notified agents of packages thrown over the border wall from Mexico.
Agents responded and found six plastic-wrapped packages lying on the ground.
The agents seized and transported the packages back to the Calexico Border Patrol Station for further processing.
At the station, the packages tested positive for the characteristics of meth.
The total weight of the packages was 6.3 pounds, with an estimated street value of $14,175.
El Centro Sector turned over the six narcotic packages to the DEA, the news release stated.