Imperial, CA–El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen and a Border Crosser cardholder attempting to smuggle methamphetamine in two separate events.
The first incident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Friday when a Border Patrol K-9 detection team was dispatched to assist a Department of Homeland Security Investigator on a vehicle stop of an individual suspected of transporting narcotics.
Agents arrived at the scene and received consent from the driver to conduct a canine inspection of the vehicle. The Border Patrol K9 detection team alerted to the trunk of the vehicle. Agents opened the trunk and discovered three battery boosters in the trunk.
After further inspection of the battery boosters’ agents discovered three packages wrapped in a black bag hidden inside the battery boosters. The contents of the packages contained a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver was found in possession of 22.7 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $55,944.
The second incident occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. Sunday when a white 2001 Ford F-150 that was towing a trailer approached the Highway 86 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 trailer. The driver gave consent for further search of the vehicle and trailer. After an extensive search of the trailer agents discovered several packages wrapped in brown packing tape hidden within false rails of the trailer. The contents of the packages contained a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver was found in possession of 122.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $147,000.
The drivers, vehicles, trailer, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.