Hi, On Interstate 40, a few miles after driving into California you will happen upon the CDFA Needles Agriculture Inspection station. The main purpose of this produce inspection station is to keep unwanted pests (insects and the like) from entering into the state of California and destroying one of it's many agricultural crops. Their main focus is the giant semi trucks entering the state, but they do also stop all cars and recreational vehicles that enter into the state as well. It is a very simple process. You drive up and the man/woman at the booth asks you where you are traveling from today.... if it is an area that is known to have harmful pests, they then ask you if you are traveling with any fruits and vegetables. If you are, they make ask you to see them of they make take a look in your vehicle. Coming from Havasu usually, they mostly just pass my car through with a friendly smile and a nice little wave. Another pest they have recently begun looking for is the quaga muscle. This is a HORRIBLE little pest, about a quarter of an inch in size, that attaches to boats, in bilges, or in the intake area of motors of boats. They can live quite a while out of the water, and once ensconced in a water way, multiplies at an astonishing rate. Once settled, they use up the available oxygen in the water killing off fish and other indigenous life. Please cooperate with the inspection officers if you are bringing a boat through to California and help to keep there nasty little creatures out of California water ways. This places provides a valuable service.... Yes, I am a fan. read more

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For the most part, these guys are harmless... As a front operation, at least, they are looking for agricultural pests being driven into California from parts unknown, often unwittingly by folks who bought roadside fruit stand produce in other states. Every few years after returning here from a cross country road trip, the officer asks me a few extra questions like "do you have any fruits or vegetables in your vehicle?" If I answer yes, they often want to know what types, and where we bought them. In essence, they know what they are looking for, and if you have any of those items, they may ask to see them. In rare cases, they will confiscate them, but that has never happened to me. Conspiracy theorists will also tell you that this station serves to photograph and register license plates, search for terrorists entering California through the highly-strategic southeastern desert route, and shaking down visitors who might be undocumented immigrants. I suppose all of these things are possible. Thankfully, having my wife and three young children in the car, with toys and fast food wrappers all over the floor is the perfect cover to my clandestine operations. Just to make sure the inspector/officer is awake, I'll sometimes ask questions like, "So, um, what would be the best thing to feed a desert tortoise?" or "How long can a guy hold his breath in a large duffle bag?" or "How much cash can I carry across state lines before that alarm thing goes off?" I get about 50-50 responses of laughs or "Sir, please pull over to the right into our staging area for further inspection." So yeah, don't do do that, I guess. read more

This is clearly a cover operation for the DEA or FBI or INS. Why the hell would california pay for a way station that blocks the entire highway. They like, checked nothing. But. I am sure that if the shit is going down the place would be swarming with cavity plundering popo. Welcome to the republic of california. Surrender your constitutional rights. read more

My wife and I were riding our motorcycles when we came upon this station, all I can say is Thank Goodness it was there. It was 116 degrees out and we were unprepared for the extreme heat. The attendant allowed us to use to use the break room to cool down. My wife and I were both way overheated from the sun. They gave us ice water and a fan to cool us down. I don't know what may have happened if the station wasn't there. I want to give a big THANK YOU to the staff working that day, You guys are great. read more