Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Seizure of $360,000 of Cocaine from Vehicle Crossing Mexican Border into Calexico

IMPERIAL VALLEY --- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced the seizure of 18 kilograms of cocaine worth $360,000 by Department of Justice Border Interdiction Team Special Agents and Imperial County Sheriff’s Deputies from a vehicle crossing into the United States through the Calexico Port of Entry.

“I saw firsthand, just a few months ago, the sophisticated way in which drugs are being trafficked through the border and into California communities” Attorney General Kamala Harris said, “I am so proud of these brave Department of Justice Special Agents and their work to shut down the flow of drugs across the border and into our communities”

On July 10, Department of Justice Special Agents with information regarding possible drug trafficking activities identified a suspicious vehicle crossing into the United States from Mexico at the Calexico Port of Entry. The Agents then followed the vehicle along Highway 111 where they worked with the Imperial Valley Sheriff’s Office who set up a traffic stop near the city of Brawley.

After the suspicious vehicle was pulled over for a code violation, a K-9 unit alerted to the rear seat floorboard of the vehicle where agents later discovered a hidden compartment containing 18 kilograms of cocaine wrapped in red tape.

The driver, Hariberto Armenta Gamez of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested and is being charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and transportation of a controlled substance into the state. He is currently being held in Imperial County Jail on $1,000,000 bail. The investigation is still ongoing.

Photos of the vehicle and 18 kilograms of cocaine are attached.