CBP U.S. Border Patrol Seizes $1.9 Million of Cocaine at Highway 86 Checkpoint

Westmorland, Calif. – CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station seized a substantial amount of cocaine at the Highway 86 Checkpoint yesterday afternoon.

At approximately 2:45 p.m., a silver sport utility vehicle approached the primary inspection of the Highway 86 Border Patrol Checkpoint. After inconsistencies with the driver’s statements to the agents working at primary, the vehicle was sent to the secondary inspection area. 

In the secondary area, a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the possible presence of narcotics located within the vehicle. Agents discovered several bundled packages of cocaine located inside a non-factory compartment within the vehicle totaling 61 pounds and an estimated street value of more than $1.9 million.

The driver, passenger, vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.