Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested a suspected drug smuggler after discovering heroin concealed in the soles of his shoes on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m., when Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint encountered a 26-year-old man, a United States citizen, driving a 1999 Saturn.

A Border Patrol Canine Detection team alerted to the vehicle.  Border Patrol agents referred the driver to secondary for further examination.   Agents discovered two packages of heroin wrapped in tape in the soles of the man’s shoes.

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Joyce Golosino with the El Centro Sector Field Communication Branch said, “This drug seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our hard working agents.” 

The heroin weighed in at 1.3 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $15,600.

Drug Enforcement Administration took over custody of the man, narcotics and vehicle.

Last fiscal year, El Centro Sector seized more than 2,985 ounces of heroin.

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.