CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $1.28M in Cocaine

Yuma, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents from the Yuma sector seized 25.1 pounds of cocaine and arrested one suspected smuggler on Friday.

Border Patrol agents assigned to operate the Wellton Station checkpoint on Interstate 8 referred a beige 2000 Plymouth Neon sedan to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. While in secondary, the driver, a U.S citizen, consented to a search of the vehicle. Agents performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle and located a small amount of marijuana. Agents continued to search the vehicle and located 9 bundles of cocaine hidden inside the rear corner panels of the vehicle. 

Agents found cocaine hidden in the car's rear paneling.

The cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1,275,080, and suspect, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the Border Patrol.

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

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.