Calexico, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a previously deported sex offender on Friday and a man suspected of narcotics smuggling on Saturday.

The first arrest occurred on Friday, when agents observed a man north of the International Border fence.  Agent made contact with the man and determined that he was illegally present in the United States at approximately 2:55 p.m.  The man was placed under arrest and transported to the Calexico Border Patrol station for further processing.

Border Patrol agents conducted records checks which revealed the man, a Mexican national, was convicted of a sexual offense with a minor on Sept. 21, 2005 and sentenced to 180 days of confinement and 36 months of probation.  The man was previously removed from the United States on Jan. 12, 2006.

The man will be criminally prosecuted for Re-Entry after Removal as a convicted sex offender.

The second arrest occurred on Saturday, at approximately 11 a.m., when a 35-year-old Mexican national approached the Highway 86 checkpoint driving a white 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle.  Agents referred the man to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination.  After an intensive search, agents discovered a cloth-sealed package containing large crystals, which was later confirmed to be methamphetamine, hidden in the vehicle’s muffler.

The methamphetamine had a weight of 14.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $57,200.

The man, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

From Oct. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, El Centro Sector had 13,710 apprehensions, and seized more than 1,141 pounds of methamphetamine.

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.