146 pounds of meth seized at checkpoint
El Centro Border Patrol Agents ( CBP ) assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint foiled two meth smuggling attempts on Tuesday.
According to CBP the first attempt was at approximately 11:46 a.m. where agents observed a female driver approach the checkpoint, who was driving a white Cadillac CTS.
A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted agents to the vehicle, where it was then sent to secondary inspection. Agents said they discovered 44 sealed packages in the vehicle’s gas tank, and another 15 within the rear doors.
Upon examination of the packages, agents said it was meth, with a weight of 71.6 pounds , and an estimated street value of $179,000.
The woman was a 28-year-old Mexican citizen.
The second incident was at 3:36 p.m. when a male driver approached the checkpoint in a silver Acura.
While agents were conducting an immigration inspection, they then referred the vehicle to a secondary inspection. It was at secondary inspection where a canine detection team alerted agents to the vehicle.
CBP said they discovered 34 sealed packages in the vehicle’s gas tank, and 11 in an aftermarket compartment within the floorboard, all which tested positive with meth.
The packages weighed a total of 75.43 pounds and had an estimated street value of $188,575.
The man was an 18-year-old lawful permanent resident.
“These seizures exemplify the tireless efforts of the men and women of the Border Patrol,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Ryan J. Scudder . “The interception of these dangerous drugs by our agents ensure the continued safety of those that live within our community.”
