INDIO— On August 27, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from the El Centro Sector announced in a press release that they intercepted a drug smuggling operation. Two American women, ages 36 and 42 were arrested for smuggling 176 pounds of methamphetamine with a total street value of approximately $149,727.
On August 22, at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Border Patrol K-9 team alerted agents to the presence of drugs inside a black SUV that approached the U.S. Border Patrol Highway 86 checkpoint. During the preliminary investigation of the vehicle, CBP agents uncovered multiple packages of a crystal-like substance hidden in the compartments of the vehicle. The contents of the packages tested positive for methamphetamines. According to Acting Chief Patrol Agent, Joseph A. Remenar, this