Border Patrol arrests three, seizes more than $500K worth in narcotics

Border Patrol agents confiscated over $500,000 worth of hard narcotics and arrested three people in two separate incidents at Highway 78 and Interstate 8 checkpoints on Monday.

Border Patrol officials said the first incident happened at 2:30 p.m. at the Highway 78 checkpoint in Blythe. Agents referred the driver of a 2002 Mercury Milan for secondary inspection after a canine alerted to the vehicle. A search led to the discovery of 96 packages of methamphetamine and heroin hidden throughout the vehicle. In all, more than 120 pounds of narcotics worth more than $525,000 were confiscated. Agents seized the vehicle, drugs, and arrested the driver who was identified as a 38-year-old Mexican national with a legal permanent residence in the United States.

The second incident happened at around 8:45 p.m. at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in Wellton. Agents directed the driver of a 2016 Honda Accord for secondary inspection. The inspection led to three rear-seat passengers being identified as Mexican nationals illegally present in the country. They are being processed for immigration violations.

The 35-year-old driver and 36-year-old front-seat passenger are both U.S. citizens. The driver is from Sacramento, Calif. and the passenger is from San Bernardino, Calif. Both were arrested for human smuggling and harboring. Agents also found approximately 14.5 grams of meth in the vehicle.

Border Patrol seized the narcotics and vehicle.