SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested two suspected narcotic smugglers in separate events, totaling a combined weight of 7.29 pounds in seized narcotics on Thursday.

The first incident occurred at approximately 11:45 a.m., when a 56-year-old man driving a black 2012 Chevrolet Impala approached the checkpoint.  A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane.  Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

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While in secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered six packages inside of a backpack that was in the back seat of the vehicle.  Agents determined that the packages contained a substance that was consistent with the characteristics of methamphetamine.

The total weight of the narcotics discovered was approximately 5.16 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated value of $9,804.

The man, a United States citizen, the narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The second incident occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m., when a 48-year-old woman driving a 2000 Honda Accord approached the checkpoint.  A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane.  Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents discovered two packages concealed inside the spare tire of the vehicle.  Agents determined that the packages contained a substance that was consistent with the characteristics of methamphetamine.

The total weight of the narcotics discovered was approximately 2.13 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated value of $4,000.

The woman, a United States citizen, the narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.