Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector apprehended an American mother and daughter for smuggling nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine.
The 692.3 pounds of methamphetamine are worth an estimated $830,874 on the black market.
Border Patrol agents conducted anti-smuggling operations on Interstate 10 shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
During the operation, agents conducted two separate vehicle stops that they suspected were smuggling and traveling in tandem.
The agency said in a press release that “a Border Patrol K-9 detection team assisted in both vehicle stops. The K-9 alerted to one of the vehicles and during a search of the car’s interior, agents discovered five large duffle bags in the rear seats. The contents of bags revealed numerous smaller bundles wrapped in cellophane, a common trend seen in narcotics smuggling. Agents determined the other vehicle did not have any contraband, however, it did have a connection to the other car and driver.”
The pair turned out to be a 46-year-old mother and her 23-year-old daughter, who have yet to be publicly identified.
“Monetary proceeds from smuggling activities is illegal, and the Border Patrol takes such crimes seriously as this seizure from our Indio Station clearly outlines,” said El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino. “Smugglers learn the hard way in El Centro time and again that we will find, arrest, and pursue prosecution, often with law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to the maximum extent possible.”
Both women were arrested and brought to the Indio Border Patrol Station for further investigation.
The vehicles will be seized in accordance with El Centro Sector policies.