The two busts at the intersection of highways 78 and 86, southeast of Salton City, netted almost $1 million worth of drugs

The two busts at the intersection of highways 78 and 86, southeast of Salton City, netted almost $1 million worth of drugs, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The 49-year-old man suspected of smuggling heroin said he was carrying the drug as agents interviewed all the passengers on a northbound Crucero USA bus Tuesday morning, according to the agency.

Agents patted the man down and found the two packages, which together weighed more than five pounds and had about $170,000 worth of heroin.

Agents also found 24 pounds of cocaine hidden in a Chrysler Town & Country minivan that was stopped at the checkpoint Wednesday afternoon and arrested the 21-year-old man behind the wheel.

A Border Patrol dog drew attention to the van, and agents found the drugs in a compartment that had been built into the vehicle after it was manufactured.

The cocaine was estimated to be worth more than $790,000.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the arrestees, both of whom are American citizens, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The men’s names were not released at the request of a prosecutor, said Adrian Corona, a supervisory agent in CBP public affairs office.