Wellton Station Border Patrol agents seized nearly $41K in heroin and arrested a shuttle van passenger at the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint Wednesday.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., agents assigned to the checkpoint referred a shuttle van to the secondary inspection area for immigration checks. A Border Patrol canine positively alerted to the backpack of a passenger traveling in the rear of the van. Two cellophane wrapped packages were discovered, weighing 2.35 pounds, which tested positive for heroin. The heroin is valued at $40,984.
The 18-year-old male United States citizen from California was arrested on drug smuggling charges.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of criminal activity charges without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.