Salton City, California - Monday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a suspected drug smuggler at the Highway 86 checkpoint after discovering an aftermarket compartment inside the intake manifold containing narcotics.

The incident occurred at approximately 1p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a 29-year-old male driver of a silver 2001 Mercedes Benz at the checkpoint.

A Border Patrol Canine Detection team alerted to the vehicle.  Upon further investigation, agents discovered an aftermarket compartment inside the intake manifold containing packages of heroin and methamphetamine.

The heroin had a combined weight of 6.41 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $76,500 and the methamphetamine had a combined weight of 14.31 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $143,000.

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