Yuma News Now

Quartzsite, Arizona - Yuma, Arizona Sector Border Patrol agents from the Blythe Station seized multiple packages of cocaine smuggled in the roof of a minivan on Thursday.

The agents were manning the checkpoint on Highway 95 when they encountered a 2000 Chevrolet Venture minivan with two individuals inside, a lawful permanent resident and a U.S. citizen. The minivan was referred to the secondary inspection area for further investigation of the subjects’ immigration status.

While in secondary, a Border Patrol K-9 performed a non-intrusive sniff of the vehicle. When the K-9 alerted to the minivan, the driver consented to allow agents to physically search the vehicle. The agents discovered a false compartment in the roof of the minivan containing 17 packages of cocaine wrapped in brown packing tape. The total weight of the contraband was 42 pounds.

Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson said of this incident, “This was a case of good border patrol work on the part of the agents involved. As demonstrated in this incident, the men and women of this sector will remain vigilant with the intent of delivering consequences to those who would seek to violate this nation’s laws and border security.”

The two subjects, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.