Yuma Sector BP recover stolen vehicle and drugs at checkpoint

Yuma Sector agents recovered a stolen vehicle, and seized methamphetamine in two separate incidents at the Interstate 8 Immigration checkpoint, Tuesday morning.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the first event happened at 5:15 a.m., Wellton Station agents working the checkpoint referred a black 2008 Nissan Altima to the secondary inspection area where record checks on the vehicle revealed it was a stolen from Tucson.

CBP said marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found inside the vehicle. The driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens from El Paso, Texas, were placed under arrest. The drugs and vehicle were seized.

The next incident happened at 7 a.m., agents at the same checkpoint referred a gray 2004 Mazda 3 to secondary inspection following a Border Patrol canine alert. Agents said they discovered 22 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

According to CBP, record checks on the two occupants, both U.S. citizens, revealed extensive criminal histories for both adult males.

The driver was found to be driving on a suspended license, in addition to failing to register the vehicle. CBP said the pair, from Tulare, Calif., was placed under arrest.

The drugs and vehicle were seized.