20-year-old woman caught with $395K worth of cocaine: CBP

INDIO, Calif. (FOX 5/ KUSI) - A 20-year-old woman was busted for smuggling 34 pounds of cocaine on Tuesday evening, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The woman, who was driving a black sedan, approached the primary inspection area of the immigration checkpoint on Highway 86 around 5 p.m. CBP said she was referred for a secondary inspection.

A K9 Unit trained to detect concealed persons and narcotics conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle, alerting agents to the trunk area. CBP then found a black bag containing several packages wrapped in brown paper, which they said was "consistent with narcotics smuggling."

A total of 15 packages were removed from the vehicle and tested by agents. CBP said the contents of the packages tested positive for the presence of cocaine. The total weight of the drugs was 34 pounds with an estimated street value of $395,000.00.

The woman, who was determined to be a U.S. citizen, was arrested for the transportation of a controlled substance. She was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and prosecution.

"This drug smuggler probably wasn't planning on building a snowman with these 34 pounds of
cocaine,” said El Centro Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino. "Instead, her plans were melted down
when vigilant Indio Station Border Patrol Agents thwarted her attempt. As usual, I am proud of
our agents."