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Border Patrol Agent Held After Pot Found in Car
Pubdate: Fri, 7 Jan 2005
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Los Angeles Times
Contact: http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Richard Marosi, Times Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Border+Patrol
BORDER PATROL AGENT HELD AFTER POT FOUND IN CAR
A U.S. Border Patrol agent who led federal authorities on a high-speed
chase through the Imperial Valley was arrested early Wednesday after
agents allegedly found nearly 750 pounds of marijuana in his
government vehicle.
The arrest culminated a surveillance operation by the FBI and
inspector general's office of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S.
attorney's office in San Diego.
The Border Patrol agent, Luis Francisco Higareda, was seen by a
federal agent meeting another vehicle at the U.S.-Mexico border near
Calexico, according to the complaint. The other vehicle was on the
Mexican side. Suspecting that a cross-border exchange had occurred,
agents gave chase.
About 20 miles later, the pursuit ended in Holtville. Agents allegedly
found drugs packed into 10 duffel bags. Also arrested with Higareda
was a Mexican illegal immigrant, Marcelino Verdugo-Cota, authorities
said.
A bail hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake