Drugs, money and guns are displayed Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Lee County SheriffÕs Office. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrests and confiscation of guns and drugs in Operation Deep Clean. 3 kg cocaine, 1/2 lbs. heroin,2 lbs. fentanyl, 5lbs. meth, 10 firearms and att least $ 33,000 was taken off the streets. Drugs9636
El Centro, California – Border Patrol agents in California’s El Centro Sector intercepted a major drug smuggling attempt Monday, seizing nearly 115 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a hidden vehicle compartment, authorities announced.
The bust occurred around 11:50 a.m. at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint when agents stopped a sedan for inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted officers to potential contraband, prompting them to refer the vehicle for a secondary inspection.
Upon closer examination, the K-9 unit detected the scent of narcotics emanating from the vehicle’s floorboards. Agents then uncovered an aftermarket compartment, where several wrapped packages were hidden. One of the packages tested positive for methamphetamine, leading to a full search of the vehicle.
In total, authorities recovered nearly 115 pounds of meth with an estimated street value of $96,942. The driver was immediately arrested on charges of transporting a controlled substance and was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for further investigation. The vehicle and narcotics were also seized as evidence.
El Centro Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino praised the work of Border Patrol agents in disrupting cartel drug smuggling operations. “This hefty seizure represents something significant happening here in the Premier Sector and across the Border Patrol, namely that cartel terrorists have an ever more difficult time smuggling drugs,” Bovino said in a statement. “Our checkpoints are open for business, and Border Patrol agents know more, much more, than cartel terrorists know.”
The seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. through California’s border regions. The use of K-9 detection teams and enhanced inspection procedures continues to be a critical tool in stopping drug trafficking at major checkpoints.
Authorities have not released the identity of the driver, and the investigation remains ongoing.
