Border Patrol Seizes Over $200K in Narcotics at Highway 86 Checkpoint

A routine check at the Highway 86 checkpoint north of Westmorland resulted in a massive drug seizure after Border Patrol agents, with the help of a K-9 unit, found narcotics concealed within the rear differential of a semi-truck.

The event took place at 10:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to El Centro Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino. The male driver, a U.S. citizen, arrived at the checkpoint north of Westmoreland, where agents sent the vehicle to secondary inspection.

In secondary inspection, agents discovered17.5 pounds of cocaine and 8 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the rear differential of the truck. The estimated street value of the narcotics seized is $212,954.

Smugglers keep trying, but they keep losing here at the Premier Sector," said Chief Bovino.

The driver was arrested, and the drugs were handed over to the relevant authorities for investigation.

The seizure is one of continued efforts by El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents to thwart drug smuggling along the U.S.-Mexico border.