Brawley man arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs at Calexico Port of Entry

A resident from Brawley was arrested on May 19 by The U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico Port of Entry for attempting to smuggle 150 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl stashed in a hidden compartment.

Officers say they encountered the 29-year-old man after he arrived at a vehicle inspection booth driving a Chevrolet Silverado when an officer detected anomalies within the truck’s undercarriage and referred the driver for a more in-depth examination of his vehicle.

CBP officers say a canine alerted to the truck’s undercarriage and officers discovered 130 wrapped packages hidden inside a compartment built under the bed of the pickup.

125 packages tested positive as methamphetamine, weighing 138 pounds and five packages tested positive as fentanyl, weighing 13 pounds with a combined value of almost $400,000 agents say.

Officers say the man was arrested for the alleged narcotics smuggling attempt and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigation agents for further processing. He was later transported to the Imperial Valley Jail where he awaits criminal arraignment.

CBP seized the narcotics and the pickup truck.