Border patrol agents at the Highway 86 checkpoint conducted a significant drug bust last Saturday evening when they seized a stash of cocaine worth over $370k from a U.S. citizen.
The bust occurred on December 9, 2023, around 5:00 p.m., when a black sedan driven by a 30-year-old female approached the inspection area. Border Patrol agents became suspicious after a routine check and referred the driver to a secondary inspection.
During the more thorough investigation, a K-9 unit trained to sniff out narcotics and concealed people alerted to the vehicle's rear driver side, according to a press release by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Upon inspection, agents discovered an aftermarket compartment that concealed 10 vacuum-sealed packages of a white substance later confirmed to be cocaine.
The narcotics weighed in at 26 pounds and had an estimated street value of $374,400.00. In a somewhat festive turn of phrase, Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino denounced the smuggling attempt, "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," said Bovino. "Another great job by Indio agents as they absolutely wreck drug smugglers." The driver and the contraband were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
