WASHINGTON: US Border Patrol agents from the Calexico Station seized a 2006 Chevy Suburban and arrested seven individuals on Tuesday near the intersection of Highway 98 and Interstate 8 who were allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately 257 pounds of marijuana into the country.
According to a news released issued by the El Centro Sector Public Affairs Office, the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m., when Border Patrol agents observed five individuals approach the international boundary fence from Mexico carrying large packages on their backs. The individuals crossed over the fence into the U.S. and ran north toward Interstate 8 and Greys Wells Road.
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Border Patrol agents then observed a blue Chevy Suburban pull over to the shoulder of the westbound lanes of Interstate 8. The individuals approached the blue Suburban and began to place their packages in the vehicle.
When agents responded to the area, the driver of the vehicle fled the area in a westbound direction. Other agents who were in wait successfully deployed a controlled tire deflation device, deflating two tires, and the vehicle came to a stop after traveling approximately 200 more yards.
Upon searching the vehicle, agents discovered 10 individually wrapped packages of marijuana, which together weighed 257.83 pounds for an estimated street value of $154,000.
The five suspected smugglers were identified as Mexican citizens illegally present in the country.
The driver, a 28-year-old female, and her 27-year-old female passenger were identified as citizens of Mexico in possession of Mexican passports and B1/B2 visas.
All seven suspects and the marijuana were transported back to the Calexico Station for processing and later turned over to the custody of Imperial County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.
