Border Patrol finds almost $1M of drugs hidden in van, under clothes

11:49 AM, Mar. 25, 2011
Written by Brian Indrelunas
The Desert Sun Filed Under

Agents at a Border Patrol checkpoint along the west shores of the Salton Sea nabbed two suspected drug smugglers this week, one of whom had packages of heroin strapped to his legs.

The two busts at the checkpoint at the intersection of highways 78 and 86, southeast of Salton City, netted almost $1 million worth of drugs, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The man suspected of smuggling heroin, identified only as a 49-year-old U.S. citizen, said he was carrying the drug as agents interviewed passengers on a bus Tuesday morning, according to the agency.

Agents patted the man down and found the two packages, which together weighed more than five pounds and had about $170,000 worth of heroin.

Agents also found 24 pounds of cocaine hidden in a Chrysler Town & Country minivan that was stopped at the checkpoint Wednesday afternoon.

A Border Patrol dog drew agents’ attention to the van, driven by a 21-year-old man who was also only identified as a U.S. citizen, and agents found the drugs in a compartment that had been built into the vehicle after it was manufactured.

The cocaine was estimated to be worth more than $790,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Pictures @

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2011032 ... er-clothes