El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize 176 Pounds of Methamphetamine

INDIO, Calif. — El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two U.S. citizen women, ages 42 and 36, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 176 pounds of methamphetamine through the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. The drugs have an estimated street value of $149,727.

According to officials, the incident occurred on August 22 at approximately 6:40 a.m. when a black SUV approached the checkpoint. During the primary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the possible presence of people or narcotics. A subsequent search revealed multiple plastic-wrapped packages of a crystal-like substance concealed in vehicle compartments. The contents later tested positive for methamphetamine.

This marks the third significant narcotics seizure by Indio Station agents in the past two weeks, according to Acting Chief Patrol Agent Joseph A. Remenar.

“Any one of these seizures is significant on its own,” Remenar said in a statement. “Together, they illustrate the dedication and tenacity that the men and women of the El Centro Sector display every single day. Border security is national security, and these seizures are a testament to the importance of the Border Patrol’s national security mission.”

Earlier this month, on August 12, agents made two separate seizures. In the first, they recovered 238.72 pounds of packaged marijuana and THC products, along with $16,265 in cash, after investigating a van emitting a strong odor. The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated at $190,976. Later that day, agents, with the help of a K-9 unit, discovered 21 bundles hidden in a vehicle’s floorboards. The packages contained 79.9 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $67,932.

In all three incidents, the suspected smugglers were arrested, and the vehicles, narcotics, and cash were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.