El Centro Border Patrol snags big load of pot

FROM STAFF REPORTS

More than 900 pounds of marijuana was seized by El Centro sector Border Patrol agents from two vehicles Thursday.

At 7:30 p.m., agents saw a 2005 blue GMC pickup enter the United States illegally from Mexico just east of the Buttercup campground in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, according to a Border Patrol release. The vehicle traveled westbound to El Centro while agents followed it.

The vehicle was momentarily lost in neighborhood streets in the city, and soon after, agents found it abandoned. A search revealed 612 pounds of marijuana, and the truck was found to be stolen out of Los Angeles.

At 7 a.m. the same day, agents observed two people loading large bundles into a vehicle near the Calexico East Port of Entry. Agents followed the vehicle westbound to the All-American Canal where the driver dove in and swam to Mexico.

Agents found 313 pounds of marijuana inside, according to the release.

The total of 925 pounds of marijuana was valued at $741,040. The vehicles and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.