Border Patrol Officers in Indio, California, struck a significant blow against drug trafficking Monday, snagging 154 pounds of methamphetamine before it could hit the streets. The drugs had an estimated street value of $278,000, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
During an early morning operation, agents nabbed a Mexican citizen driving a beige sedan on Interstate 10, near Dillon Road. The stop was part of Operation Apollo, a coordinated effort led by local and federal agencies to crack down on the flow of fentanyl, and other synthetic narcotics. The Border Patrol K-9 unit, which is trained to sniff out narcotics, signaled the presence of drugs after the driver refused to consent to a search, leading to the discovery of the meth stashed in five duffel bags.
The driver, who held a border crossing card, was subsequently arrested and had his entry benefits into the United States revoked. All seized contraband, along with the vehicle, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for further investigation, as per U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"Operation Apollo", is an ongoing joint effort to target the distribution networks that enable the spread of dangerous drugs across the region. More information on this initiative is available via official channels. The Border Patrol continues to provide updates on its activities through social media handles such as @CBPElCentro and @USBPChiefELC on Twitter, and Instagram @USBPChiefELC. The public is encouraged to stay informed about their work in safeguarding our neighborhoods from the perils of illegal narcotics.
