Calexico, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico station recovered drugs and a firearm concealed in tape wrapped packages near 1st Street and Blair Avenue on Saturday.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m., after Border Patrol agents received a call from a concerned citizen about a suspicious package in the middle of the street.  Agents responded to the location and found a football shaped package wrapped in tape.  Upon closer inspection Border Patrol agents noticed an additional bundle in the grass located approximately 50 yards away which appeared to be a pistol wrapped in tape.  Both items were seized and transported to the Calexico Border Patrol station.  There were no individuals arrested with this seizure.

The substance in the package was tested with a Narcotics Identification System kit and tested positive for marijuana.  The weight of the marijuana was two pounds and is valued at $600.  The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The second bundle shaped like a firearm contained a Jennings Firearms Bryco-59, 9mm handgun with one magazine and no ammunition.  The serial number had been tampered with and was illegible.

“I am very thankful that our agents took this firearm off the streets. There is no doubt in my mind that the firearm recovered would have been used to perpetrate violent crime,” said El Centro Sector Chief Gloria Chavez.

The El Centro Sector 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 suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.