Border agents seized $1.56M in drugs over the weekend
IMPERIAL – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents in coordination with a joint task force of various law enforcement agencies seized more than $1.56 million worth of drugs in three separate events over the weekend, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection release reported.
The first incident occurred on Friday afternoon, at approximately 12:13 p.m., when a joint task force obtained a warrant and searched a vehicle suspected of narcotic smuggling.
A Border Patrol K- 9 detection team called to assist in the search alerted to the vehicle. Agents inspected the interior of the vehicle and discovered 540 vacuum-sealed packages containing a white crystal- like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. There was a total of 517.8 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1,139,160, the release said.
The second incident occurred Saturday about 6 a.m., when agents conducting traffic check operations performed a vehicle stop on a dark green 2014 Fiat 500 off the Cactus City Rest Area and Interstate 10.
A Border Patrol K- 9 detection team assisted in the stop and alerted to the vehicle. Agents searched the interior and discovered a plastic bag along with a camouflage backpack that contained 11 packages wrapped in brown tape. The packages contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for fentanyl. Agents recoverd 24.6 pounds of fentanyl with an estimated street value of $295,200, the CBP release said.
The fentanyl and paraphernalia were turned
over to the Riverside County High Intensity Drug Traffic Area Narcotics Taskforce.
The third incident occurred Monday about 4: 50 a. m., LOFTON when a red 2005 Dec. 6, Ford 1951 – Ranger Apr. 29, 2022 approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. The agent inspecting vehicles in the primary lanes referred the vehicle to secondary inspection.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle, the release said. Agents inspected the vehicle and discovered the floorboard of the bed to abnormally higher than usual. Further inspection of the bed revealed a compartment concealing silver packages. The packages contained a white crystal-like substance that reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine.
The 29-year-old male driver allegedly was in possession of 60 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $132,000.
The man, vehicle and meth were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the release said.