Fire destroys a Los Angeles-area church just before Christmas

INDIO — El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle cocaine through the U.S. Border Patrol’s Highway 86 checkpoint early Saturday evening.

According to a press release from El Centro Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs, on Saturday, December 9, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a black sedan approached the primary inspection area of the checkpoint. Agents’ suspicions were raised during the inspection and the driver was referred to a secondary inspection area for further investigation.

Per the release, a K-9 unit operating in the secondary inspection area, trained to detect concealed people and narcotics, alerted to the vehicle’s rear driver side. Agents discovered an aftermarket compartment containing 10 vacuum-sealed packages upon further examination. Agents tested the contents of the packages and confirmed the presence of cocaine.

The total weight of the cocaine was 26 pounds with an estimated street value of $374,400.00, according to the release.

“This white powder is not indicative of the Christmas Spirit. In fact, old Kris Kringle himself would be most unhappy at the actions of this vile criminal,” Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said in the release. “Another great job by Indio agents as they absolutely wreck drug smugglers.”

“The driver, a 30-yearold female U.S. citizen, along with the vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further processing and investigation,” the release reads.

Please visit www.cbp. gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For all El Centro Sector news, follow them on @CBPElCentro and @USBPChiefELC, and on Instagram @USBPChiefELC

POMOMA, Calif. ( AP) — A Los Angeles- area church was destroyed in a massive fire early Sunday, just hours before a celebration that was set to include a Christmas play and a toy giveaway.

Firefighters arrived at Victory Outreach church in Pomona at about 2:45 a.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A fire department spokeswoman told television station KABC that firefighters went into an aggressive interior attack when they arrived, but after about 20 minutes the roof started to collapse and the fire expanded so they went into a defensive mode.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Rev. Robert Garcia told television station KTLA that 500 people had registered for the church’s planned celebration.