US Citizen Arrested for Attempting to Smuggle Over $600K of Cocaine

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested a United States citizen accused of smuggling methamphetamine Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:36 a.m., when a white 2011 Chevrolet Traverse approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent checking vehicles in the lanes referred the vehicle aside for further investigation.

A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the rear passenger seat of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the area, agents discovered a hidden compartment in the rear floorboard of the vehicle concealing 14 packages of a white powdery substance wrapped in black tape. The contents inside the packages tested positive for cocaine.

The driver, a 47-year-old male, was caught with nearly 38 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of more than $600,000.

The individual, vehicle, and narcotics were later turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.