Agents find drugs hidden inside mini van seat

A man was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle methamphetamine and cocaine past a U.S. Border Patrol inspection checkpoint.

Agents say the man drove up to the checkpoint on Highway 86 near Salton City shortly before noon on Tuesday.

The man was sent to secondary inspection after a K-9 officer alerted the mini van the man was driving.

During the inspection, agents say they found 15 plastic-wrapped bundles of cocaine and three bundles of meth.

The drugs had a combined weight of about 46 pounds and had an approximate street value of about $491,000, according to agents.

“Every pound of illegal narcotics we seize translates into a safer community and a loss of revenue for dangerous drug smuggling organizations,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent.

The 60-year-old man, who is a Mexican citizen, the drugs and mini van were all turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.