El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three people accused of attempting to smuggle black tar heroin through an immigration checkpoint on Aug. 26.

The incident occurred at around noon, when a dark gray 2004 Acura TLX approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent in primary inspection referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During secondary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted agents to the trunk of the vehicle. The agents discovered two bundles wrapped in black tape concealed inside a speaker box. The contents inside the bundles tested positive for black tar heroin.

The bundles tested positive for black tar heroin, weighing 4.8 pounds with an estimated value of $58,779.

The driver, a 38-year-old male legal permanent resident, passengers a 31-year-old female, and a 30-year-old male both United States citizen, the vehicle and heroin were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.