Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested two suspected drug smugglers at the Highway 86 checkpoint after discovering packages of candy laced with methamphetamine in their vehicle on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., when Border Patrol agents encountered a 48-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, riding in a white 2012 Nissan Frontier at the Highway 86 checkpoint near the Salton Sea.

At the pre-primary inspection area a Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the rear cargo area of the vehicle.  Border Patrol agents referred the driver to secondary for further investigation.  Upon inspection, agents discovered boxes of tamarind candy “Dulce de Tamarindo” in the bed of the truck.  Several of the boxes of candy were tested and all tested positive for methamphetamine.

"These seizures and arrests demonstrate how effective our Border Patrol agents, canines, and checkpoints are in executing our duties to stop illicit drugs from entering our country,” said Indio Patrol Agent in Charge Scott Garrett.  “Criminals continue to come up with creative ways to smuggle their narcotics and agents continue to do whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of them.  Always serving, always protecting and always on duty, Border Patrol agents will continue to keep illegal drugs and criminals out of our communities.”

The man and woman, both Lawfully Admitted Permanent Residents, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation (DEA).

The total weight and value of the seizure is pending until it is analyzed by the DEA.