Pine Valley, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint arrested a woman yesterday morning who had 20 bundles of drugs stashed behind the dashboard of her vehicle.

At approximately 10 a.m., a 33-year-old female driver and her 11-year-old daughter approached the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8.  As the 2007 Pontiac Torrent SUV entered the pre-primary area, a Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the vehicle. Agents subsequently referred the woman to secondary inspection for further investigation. 

In the secondary inspection area, agents questioned the female driver and noted that their K-9 once again alerted to her vehicle.  They searched the SUV and found an after-market compartment behind the dashboard.  Inside were five bundles of heroin (10.80 pounds), two bundles of Fentanyl (4.81), and 13 bundles of crystal methamphetamine (25.93 pounds). The narcotics have a total estimated street value of $483,720.

David BeMiller, Patrol Agent in Charge of the Campo Station stated, “The utilization of checkpoints throughout San Diego Sector further enhances our ability to target illicit activities, such as this, and keep our communities safer.”

The woman, a legal permanent resident originally from Mexico, and her daughter were taken into custody.  The woman was turned over to a task force led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the child was turned over to Child Protective Services.  The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

As of July 19, 2016, San Diego Sector has intercepted 1,934 pounds of methamphetamine and 3,144 pounds of heroin for fiscal year 2016.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance in corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.