CALEXICO — Calexico police officers, with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol agents, discovered 13.9 pounds of methamphetamine inside a vehicle and arrested a man this morning following a routine traffic stop, according to a Calexico police official.
Around 7 a.m., a Calexico police officer was working Operation Stonegarden street interdiction when a man driving just south of the Highway 86 checkpoint was stopped for a traffic violation, Calexico police Detective Manuel Ceja said.
The driver, Raul Zamaron, 56, of Mexicali, was acting nervous and not giving direct answers to the officer. The officer became suspicious and requested a U.S. Border Patrol canine unit which soon arrived.
During further examination, the canine alerted to the engine compartment of the red 2003 Dodge Dakota which Zamaron was driving.
A subsequent search revealed 13.9 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the engine’s intake manifold. The drugs are estimated to be worth more than $444,000.
An investigator from Calexico Police Department’s Border Crimes Unit and Ceja responded, took possession of the narcotics and placed Zamaron into custody. He was booked into the Imperial County jail on the felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent of sales.
“This incident reflects another positive attribute to having the resources of other agencies working in conjunction for the enforcement of locating illegal transportation of drugs and successful prosecution of the individuals involved,” Ceja said “The Border Crimes Unit wants to thank the United States Border Patrol for their assistance and for allowing investigators to utilize their resources.”
— Chelcey Adami, cadami@ivpressonline.com
Resident suspected of molestation
BRAWLEY — Vicente Campos, a 64-year-old Brawley resident, was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under the age 14, according to a Brawley Police Department press release.
Officials were unable to comment on the sex of the alleged victim.
Campos was booked into the Imperial County jail.
Wheelchair creates traffic hazard
BRAWLEY — A subject last seen traveling east on Main Street in Brawley was said to have created a traffic hazard due to traveling on the roadway, according to Brawley police logs.
Female refuses to leave establishment
BRAWLEY — A woman who entered Tasty Donuts in Brawley became upset when the store owner would not give her water, according to Brawley police logs.
The woman allegedly became upset because she was told she needed to pay for the water.
The owner only wanted the woman to leave the establishment.
— Karina Lopez, klopez@ivpressonline.com
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