Calexico, California - U.S. Border Patrols agents assigned to the El Centro Station arrested a suspected drug smuggler that used a ramp to drive over the United States/Mexico International Boundary barricades Friday.

The incident occurred at 7:15 a.m., when agents encountered a black Infinity QX4 heading north of the border on Roy’s Road in the desert.  Agents approached the vehicle and discovered 30 bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle.

Agents seized the bundles and arrested the driver and passenger, two men, 44 and 31-years-old Mexican citizens.  Agents investigated the seizure that led them to a ramp which circumvented the boundary barricades.

The marijuana had a combined weight of 693.86 pounds with an estimated street value of $416,316.

U.S. Border Patrol agents turned the men, vehicle and marijuana over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

Last fiscal year El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized 5,713 pounds of marijuana.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats.   We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe.   Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.