Calexico, California - U.S. Border Patrols agents assigned to the El Centro Station seized a vehicle used to illegally drive through the United States/Mexico International Boundary containing 358 pounds of marijuana, Sunday.

The incident occurred at 5:10 p.m., when Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) camera operators observed a blue Jeep Cherokee drive north to Highway 98.  Agents assigned to an area near Ocotillo observed the Jeep and responded in an attempt to make contact.  The Jeep turned around and began to drive southbound failing to yield for agents.

The vehicle eventually stopped and two men exited and fled into Mexico to avoid apprehension.  Agents conducted a searched of the vehicle and discovered 15 bundles of marijuana inside.

The marijuana had a combined weight of 358.5 pounds with an estimated street value of $215,000.

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

From October 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015, 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.