Border Patrol agents make another large cocaine seizure

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector's Blythe Station seized more than 20 pounds of cocaine on Wednesday. Agents assigned to Indio, Calif., also seized more than $400,000 worth of cocaine.

It was the second large cocaine seizure the Border Patrol made in the past three days.

At about 6:45 a.m., a man driving white 2000 Ford F-250 pickup pulled into the Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 78, located northwest of Yuma in California.

A canine team conducting a cursory sniff of the pickup alerted to the odor of narcotics or hidden persons within the vehicle.

The driver was referred to secondary inspection, where the canine team found a non-factory compartment located behind the airbag. A search of the compartment revealed eight packages of cocaine hidden within.

The cocaine, which weighed a total of 20.794 pounds, had a street value of $665,408.

On Monday, Blythe station agents seized more than 23 pounds of cocaine and more than four pounds of methamphetamines in two separate incidents at the same California checkpoint.

The cocaine, which weighed a total of 23.2 pounds, had a street value of $742,400. The meth, with a weight of 4.4 pounds, had a street value of $105,600.

In both seizures, which occurred within two hours of each other, the subjects were driving white 2004 Ford F-150 pickups.

At the Indio station at approximately 5 p.m., agents encountered a female U.S. citizen while conducting transportation checks at a local bus station. During a subsequent consensual search, agents discovered several bundles of cocaine in her backpack and on her person.  

Another bus passenger, who was a male U.S. citizen, was found to have several bundles of cocaine taped to his thighs after being questioned and searched by agents. The cocaine has an estimated value of approximately $403,000.

The two subjects and the cocaine were turned over to a local narcotics task force.

Agent Mike Lowrie said so far this fiscal year, which has only a month remaining, agents have seized 377 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $12 million.

To report suspicious activity, call the Yuma Sector Border Patrol's toll-free telephone number at 1-866-999-8727.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.