(Arrest at the checkpoint)....It happened Saturday.
A Ford pick-up drove up to the Checkpoint on Highway 86 near Salton City. An El Centro Sector Border Patrol agent working the checkpoint referred thee vehicle to the secondary inspection area. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the rear passenger door of the pick-up. In searching the vehicle, agents found a loaded 9 mm handgun underneath the driver's seat and four large car batteries beneath the passenger seat. The batteries were removed from the vehicle. Agents found hidden compartments in the batteries. A search of the compartments resulted in the discovery of 10.92 pounds of cocaine, valued at around $173,250, 19 pounds of methamphetamine valued at around $59,913, and 2.46 pounds of Fentanyl valued at around $27,500. The driver, the firearm, narcotics and vehicle were all turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.