SALTON CITY, CA, Jan 14- El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two United States citizens attempting to smuggle 61 packages of methamphetamine through an immigration checkpoint Wednesday morning.
Agents inspected the backseat area and discovered several packages wrapped in cellophane inside a duffle bag and a cardboard box that were on the floorboard behind the driver and passenger seats. At approximately 6:20 a.m., a 2017 white Ford F-150 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 rear of the vehicle. Agents inspected the backseat area and discovered several packages wrapped in cellophane inside a duffle bag and a cardboard box that were on the floorboard behind the driver and passenger seats. The contents of the packages contained a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver and passenger were found in possession of 64.7 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $116,460.
“I am very proud of the men and women of the El Centro Sector and the dedication they display,” said, Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dennis W. Harmon. “We are committed to keeping dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities.”
The subjects, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.